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| Leonard Reichert piloted Privateer recon planes for VPB-119. The Sheboygan Press, 12 March 1945 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40261617/leonard-j.-reichert http://www.forgottenprops.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/pb4y-privateer.html |
Leonard J. Reichert never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on December 19, 1918 in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. His parents Otto and Nellie were also both born in Wisconsin. His father worked as a foreman. Leonard had an older brother, an older sister, two younger brothers, and two younger sisters. By 1940 he had attend two years of schooling at Mission House College.
He joined the US Navy on January 2, 1942 with the goal of being a flyer. After passing elimination flight training he completed advanced instructions and became a recon pilot.
His first assignment was convoy duty, probably meaning looking out for enemy submarines. After further stateside training in early 1944, he was posted to the Pacific Theater. He was assigned to VPB-119. This squadron flew PB4Y-1 and PB4Y-2 Privateers used for photo and recon missions, often deep behind enemy controlled positions.
On March 2, 1945, Lt Reichert had just landed his Privateer and was waiting for a second plane to land before moving to the parking area. The second plane landed long and hit Lt. Reichert's plane. Lt. Reichert was the only one killed in the mishap. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross but I was not able to find the citation.
His grave is at Sheboygan Falls Cemetery in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.
Last year on this date I profiled Silver Star hero William Podkulski, 101st Airborne Division. You can read about William here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
My father, Dr. Richard W. Morris, was a Commander in the Navy who served during WWII in the Pacific, on the Island of Samar. He kept a small war diary of the time he was there and mentioned the tragedy of Leonard Reichert's death. I have some group photos of the officers and other enlisted men that were there, but unfortunately the men in the photos are not identified. Leonard Reichert may be in one of them.
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