By: Grace

1/4/06

Leo Walker Bedell

Leo Walker Bedell was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 24, 1921. He and his family moved to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio when he was five years old. After graduating from Saint Vincent High School he attended and graduated from John Carroll University with a degree in engineering.

On September 1, 1943 Leo enlisted in the United States Navy to fight in World War II when he was twenty-one years old. To become an officer in the Navy he had to go through special training before fighting. He went to officer training school at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. Soon after Leo went to Harvard University for radar school. He became an engineering officer in the U.S. Navy after completing training.

His tour began in Hawaii on August 10,1944 when he was assigned to the LCI(G) 449 (Landing Craft Infantry Gunboat). He was stationed in the South Pacific near the Philippine Islands.

As an engineering officer Leo was responsible for guiding the ship and making sure the engine was running properly. Leo had many close friends on the ship. In his spare time Leo would listen to the radio. He would hear news about the war from the radio and from the officers’ reports. Letters from home were received once a month but Leo wrote back twice a week. This was how he stayed connected with the outside world.

Leo and his fellow crewmembers encountered a couple of very alarming experiences one of which was the Invasion of Iwo Jima. During the Invasion of Iwo Jima the LCI 449 was shot at and severely damaged. It was a horrible battle and many people died on the ship. The shooting continued while Leo controlled the damaged ship into safe waters. He risked his live to help save what was left of the surviving crew. During this whole time Leo was doubtful that they would survive. It was one of the scariest times during his war experience but he did his duty.

Leo’s rank was that of a lieutenant, which was of his highest rank while serving in the navy. He was awarded the Silver Star for his part in saving the LCI 449 and its remaining crew during the Invasion of Iwo Jima by Admiral Turner of the United States Navy. Leo Bedell was also nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Following a little more then two years of service in the Navy, Leo was discharged on November 15, 1945. On his way home the ship got caught in a violent typhoon. Leo was afraid of not making it out of this horrible storm. Although the ship was right in the middle of the storm, it was able to survive. After many hours of tossing and turning the powerful typhoon blew over and the ship was ready to keep going and take the officers safely home.

Leo was glad to be home to see his family after the hard training and work he did. After he returned home he worked at General Tire for a short while. He then worked for the State Inspection Bureau as a building inspector. Leo was married to Mary Jo Costigan six months after he returned home to Ohio. They raised ten children and they have 28 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

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