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Personal info

Full name
PRESTON, Leo Vincent
Date of birth
16 March 1925
Age
19
Place of birth
Sigsbee, Shelby County, Missouri
Hometown
Tiger Fork, Shelby County, Missouri

Military service

Service number
37635016
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
F Company,
2nd Battalion,
359th Infantry Regiment,
90th Infantry Division
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
4 March 1945
Place of death
Schatzberg, near Seiwewrath, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
Plot Row Grave
E 3 61

Immediate family

Members
Willard V. Preston (father)
Jessie M. (Redmon) Preston (mother)
Virginia L. Preston (sister)
Elmora Preston (sister)
Alvessa L. Preston (sister)
Laveta J. Preston (sister)
Margaret L. Preston (sister)

More information

Pfc Leo V. Preston worked on a farm before he enlisted in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 14 March 1944.

During the retreat of the enemy to the Rhine River, American forces continued to advance with very little enemy opposition in the Saar Valley. The company of which Pfc Preston was a member, was advancing toward the town of Schatzberg, Germany. On approaching the town the enemy opened up with intense artillery and small arms fire from concealed positions, causing several casualties among the men. These positions were soon overcome and the town occupied. It was during this action that Pfc Preston was killed by fire from an enemy machine gun in a small wooded area. An aid man nearby went to his aid, but upon examination, it was found that the bullets penetrated his back, apparently killing him instantly.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Ondrak Family Tree / 1940 Census / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, www.newspapers.com – The Palmyra Spectator Missouri - 30 May 1945

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Luxembourg American Cemetery