Leonard B. Sextro

Korean War

Leonard Sextro was born on a farm between Templeton and Manning on March 9, 1929, to John and Clara (Lechtenberg) Sextro. Leonard attended country school and graduated with the Manning High School class of 1947. He later worked with his father on the family farm.

In 1948, Leonard was inducted into the US Army and assigned serial number 17 261 244. He was stationed at Fort Riley, KS. By May, 1949, Leonard was assigned duty in Japan. His service commitment was completed by the end of 1949 and he returned to Carroll County. He was employed for a time as a Fuller Brush salesman.

On September 18, 1950, Leonard was recalled to duty for the Korean War as a PFC (private first class). He again reported to Fort Riley. By December, 1950, Leonard was on his way back to Japan. Once there, he was assigned to the 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. This unit had assembled at Fort Devens, MA and had arrived in Japan on September 16, 1950. They landed in North Korea at Wonsan on November 21, 1950.

The Chinese army had joined the war in October, 1950, and were pushing the UN troops back south. The 7th Infantry covered the withdrawal of UN troops from the Chosin Reservoir area at Hungnam. They were the last unit off the beach as they withdrew on December 24, 1950.

The unit moved to a defensive position north of Seoul to counter the Chinese advances. This is the point at which Leonard joined this unit. The fighting was constant but generally was a stalemate. During this time, Leonard was promoted to Corporal.

On June 2, 1951, Leonard and his unit were supporting the 3rd Division’s combat operations in the Chorwon-Kumwha area in what is now North Korea. Leonard was “severely wounded by a missile” according to the casualty report. He was transported to a hospital ship at Pusan and underwent surgery. He was sent to Japan where he was released from the hospital on July 14, 1951. By August, 1951, he was returned to the United States and discharged.

Leonard returned to the Manning area. On July 30, 1955, Leonard was married to Delores Gross in Earling, IA. They farmed on the family farm with Leonard’s brothers until 1985. Leonard was later a mail carrier retiring in 1995. They moved into Manning in 1999. Leonard died in Manning on April 12, 2020 at age 91. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.