PVT Leonard Wesley Shackleford

courtesy of AudieAnnie

PVT Leonard Wesley Shackleford was born 10 May 1918 in Essex County, Virginia. He was the youngest of the 10 children born to John William Shackleford and his 2nd wife, Sallie Ellen Rowe. Leonard also had 5 older half-siblings. His father was a farmer but he died in 1925 of cancer. Leonard ended up living with his sister, Ella and her husband, and apparently worked with his brother-in-law as a carpenter. He then moved to Richmond and was working for Andrew Packard in 1940.

Leonard had moved to Gloucester County, New Jersey when he was drafted in June 1942. We are not certain where Leonard was sent after completing his basic military training. He was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 28 Jun 1944. PVT Shackleford then fought with C Company until killed in action on 19 Jul 1944.

PVT Shackleford rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.