This is the final resting place of Lieutenant Colonel Lealon C. Wimpee, United States Marine Corps Reserve, Retired. His grave is located in the San Joaquin National Cemetery, Santa Nella, California.
Lieutenant Colonel Wimpee was the father of a very close friend of mine.
His service in the United States Marine Corps began during World War II, when he received his parents' permission to enlist at age 17. He fought in the Pacific, including the Battle of Okinawa, where he was wounded in action on June 10, 1945.
Following World War Ii, he earned a bachelor's degree and an officer's commission in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Shortly after he married, he returned to combat in the Korean War.
On 23 April 1951, while serving as a Second Lieutenant with Dog Company, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, he identified an impending ambush which threatened another Company. Second Lieutenant Wimpee led his fellow Marines into close combat with Chinese troops, killing or capturing many of them as he led an attack which cleared all resistance from a series of enemy trenches and bunkers.
At the time, he was recommended for the Silver Star, and the recommendation was approved.* However, the decoration was not awarded at that time.
On 23 June 1999, after an administrative error was corrected at the behest of his fellow Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Wimpee was finally awarded the Silver Star. His citation reads, in part:
"By his outstanding bravery, inspiring initiative, and courageous devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Wimpee saved the lives of fellow Marines…"
In addition to his service in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, Lieutenant Colonel Wimpee enjoyed a successful civilian career. He and his wife raised two sons and two daughters.
I am honored to have known Lieutenant Colonel Wimpee, and I am humbled and grateful for the friendship of one of his daughters for more than 35 years.
*For more information about the Silver Star, see:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Star
Tags: 500+ views Lealon C. Wimpee Lealon Wimpee Lt Col Lealon Wimpee United States Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps United States Marine USMC United States Marine Corps veteran US Marine Corps veteran USMC veteran World War II veteran Battle of Okinawa Korean War veteran Silver Star Bronze Star Purple Heart combat wounded San Joaquin National Cemetery national cemetery military cemetery grave marker
View to the north from Lieutenant Colonel Wimpee's grave, San Joaquin National Cemetery.
Tags: Lealon C. Wimpee Lealon Wimpee Lt Col Lealon Wimpee United States Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps United States Marine USMC United States Marine Corps veteran US Marine Corps veteran USMC veteran World War II veteran Battle of Okinawa Korean War veteran Silver Star Bronze Star Purple Heart combat wounded San Joaquin National Cemetery national cemetery military cemetery grave marker
View to the east from Lieutenant Colonel Wimpee's grave, San Joaquin National Cemetery.
Tags: Lealon C. Wimpee Lealon Wimpee Lt Col Lealon Wimpee United States Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps United States Marine USMC United States Marine Corps veteran US Marine Corps veteran USMC veteran World War II veteran Battle of Okinawa Korean War veteran Silver Star Bronze Star Purple Heart combat wounded San Joaquin National Cemetery national cemetery military cemetery grave marker
View to the south from Lieutenant Colonel Wimpee's grave, San Joaquin National Cemetery.
Tags: Lealon C. Wimpee Lealon Wimpee Lt Col Lealon Wimpee United States Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps United States Marine USMC United States Marine Corps veteran US Marine Corps veteran USMC veteran World War II veteran Battle of Okinawa Korean War veteran Silver Star Bronze Star Purple Heart combat wounded San Joaquin National Cemetery national cemetery military cemetery grave marker
View to the west from Lieutenant Colonel Wimpee's grave, San Joaquin National Cemetery.
Tags: Lealon C. Wimpee Lealon Wimpee Lt Col Lealon Wimpee United States Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps United States Marine USMC United States Marine Corps veteran US Marine Corps veteran USMC veteran World War II veteran Battle of Okinawa Korean War veteran Silver Star Bronze Star Purple Heart combat wounded San Joaquin National Cemetery national cemetery military cemetery grave marker