Honoring the Service of Private First Class Robert Leckie of the 1st Marine Division

February 2, 2025

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Today we honor US Marine Corps veteran Robert Leckie, of Rutherford New Jersey.

According to his biography: “On January 18, 1942, Leckie enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Private First Class Leckie was sent to boot camp at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina and was then briefly stationed at New River, North Carolina before being sent to the Pacific. Bob served as a scout and a machine gunner in H (How) Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (H/2/1).”

Leckie participated in every major 1st Marine Division campaign except Okinawa. A veteran of the Battle of Tenaru and the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Battle of Cape Gloucester and the Battle of Peleliu where Bob suffered a blast concussion which led to his transfer to a Field hospital and subsequently his honorable discharge before the war had ended.

“Following World War II, Bob returned to his pre-war profession as a journalist working as a reporter for the Associated Press and various other news publications. He would go on to Mary Vera Keller, a childhood neighbor, and they had three children: David, Geoff, and Joan.”

“I have to tell the story of how it really was. I have to let people know the war wasn’t a musical” – Bob Leckie

“According to Vera, in 1951 Bob was inspired to write a memoir after seeing “South Pacific” on Broadway and walking out halfway through. His first and best-selling book, “Helmet for my Pillow,” a personal war memoir, was published in 1957. Leckie subsequently wrote more than 40 books on American military history, spanning from the French and Indian War to Desert Storm.” – Together We Served Database

Private First Class Robert Hugh Leckie passed away on December 24, 2001 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 81 years old. Robert lies in rest at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Newton New Jersey. Lest We Forget.

“Leckie’s war memoirs, “Helmet for my Pillow,” along with Eugene B. Sledge’s book, “With the Old Breed,” formed the basis for the 2010 HBO series “The Pacific,” the successor to “Band of Brothers.” He was portrayed in the miniseries by James Badge Dale and Vera was portrayed by Caroline Dhavernas.” – Find a Grave Database