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Pfc Leon Lee immigrated to the United States on 16 July 1923. He returned to China in 1938. His wife and eight-year-old son still lived in China. Pfc Lee returned to America in October 1941 and became a U.S. Citizen on 23 November 1943. He and his brother owned a grocery store in Philadelphia.

He enlisted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 11 August 1943. He was sent overseas in November 1944.

Pfc Lee had been wounded in action three times before he was killed in action.

He was awarded Silver Star Medal posthumoulsy. The citation cited: For gallantry in action while serving with the 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action near Gross Rosenburg, Germany, on 16 April 1945. After participating in the assault crossing of the Elbe River, Private Lee, an acting squad leader, dashed across open terrain despite withering fire, in an attempt to rescue a wounded comrade. Upon ascertaining that his comrade was beyond help, he continued forward, killed an enemy rifleman, then assaulted and destroyed a machine gun nest with grenades and rifle fire, thereby making possible the seizure of the initial objective without further casualties. Later, while leading his squad in an attack on the final objective, Pvt Lee was mortally wounded by enemy rifle fire. His gallant actions entitle Pvt Lee to a place of honor in the annals of fighting Infantrymen.