Honoring Private First Class Willie “Leon” Tellie and the Heroes of Iwo Jima

“Seeking to rescue a Marine who was drowning in the surf at Iwo Jima, these six Army herors narrowly missed meeting their own deaths when their amphibian truck was swamped by heavy seas, March 11, 1945.” – US Signal Corps Archive

L-R, back row: T/5 L. C. Carter, Jr., Private John Bonner, Jr., Staff Sergeant Charles R. Johnson.

L-R, front row: T/5 A. B. Randle, T/5 Homer H. Gaines, and Private First Class Willie “Leon” Tellie.

After the war Leon Tellie relocated to Iowa. Leon worked construction in Davenport for 25 years and was a member of the Local Union 309. In later years, he worked at United Neighbors as a mentor to local youth. Leon loved the racehorses, playing cards, and golf – but his greatest joy came from the time he spent with his wife of 56 years, Voncille.

Private First Class Leon Tellie passed away on March 17, 2006 at the age of 80 years old. Lest We Forget.