Their Story
On October 28, 1918, Elwood George Lehnus was born1 in Kankakee, Illinois, to Leslie George Lehnus and Mable Irene (Sinclair) Lehnus.2 Leslie was a farmer in 1920.3 Elwood resided in Herscher and Kankakee, Illinois, for his childhood.4 He had three brothers.
By 1940, he was married to Vida Barbara Handley and an assembler at a plow factory.5 He registered for the WWII draft in October 1940. He worked at David Bradley Manufacturing Company at the time.6 Elwood and Vida had a child, Elwood George, on February 23, 1943. He died 5 days later.7 Elwood enlisted in the Army in 1944 and served in the Korean War and Vietnam War.8
During the Korean War, the country was already divided into two sides, North Korea and South Korea. The North wanted a communist government and the South wanted a more democratic government. On June 25, 1950, the North Korean side invaded the South Korean side with aid from the Soviet Union. The United States joined the South Korean side during the war. Negotiations were made, but nothing productive came from it. Both countries decided in July of 1953 to have separate countries instead of one. About two and a half million casualties occurred.9
The Vietnam War started because North Vietnam wanted to align themselves with China and the Soviet Union to adopt a communist government. However, the South became allies with the United States and wanted to implement more democratic values into the government. Fighting started in 1954 and lasted until 1975 when South Vietnam lost the war. This war is known for its destruction and mass casualties. About more than half of the casualties were civilians.10
Elwood reached the rank of Major in the Army.11 This is considered a career rank, due to the time it takes to achieve this status. A Major has expertise on a certain subject and often is an advisor on policy development and analyzing data on rules of the Army. They also assist officers at the battalion level for about three hundred to one thousand soldiers.12
During Elwood’s career, he worked at a variety of places in the United States. He worked as a sergeant and instructor in Danville, Illinois, for the Fifth Army, First Battalion. This job included duties such as inspecting armories to ensure they were within Army standards.13 Then he worked for Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1957, Elwood worked as a captain for the Rock Island Arsenal as the assistant adjunct at Headquarters Ordnance Weapons Command.14
Elwood earned a Bronze Star Medal and an Army Commendation Medal for his service.15 A Bronze Star Medal is awarded to military personnel for bravery during service or combat action.16 The Army Commendation Medal is given to serving military personnel for heroism, excellent achievement, or courageous service.17 He retired in 1965.18
Elwood and Vida were divorced in 1947 and he married Catherine “Kay” Norbert in August of 1948. They had a son together named James.19 Elwood passed away on March 27, 1972, at Great Lakes Naval Hospital.20 He was buried on the Rock Island Arsenal.21
References
1 Paul, Mack. “Elwood G Lehnus.” Find a Grave. October 10, 2011.
2 Elwood George Lehnus – Facts (ancestry.com)
3 Ancestry.com – 1920 United States Federal Census
4 The Dispatch (Moline, Illinois). “Native Moliner, 3 Others Assigned to Islands Post.” July 30, 1957.
5 Ancestry.com – 1940 United States Federal Census
6 U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 – Ancestry.com
7 Elwood George Jr Lehnus – Facts (ancestry.com)
8 Paul, Mack. “Elwood G Lehnus.” Find a Grave. October 10, 2011.
9 Millet, Allan R. “Korean War.” Britannica. Last updated June 18, 2022.
10 Spector, Ronald H. “Vietnam War.” Last updated March 13, 2022.
11 Paul, Mack. “Elwood G Lehnus.” Find a Grave. October 10, 2011.
12 United States Army. “U.S. Army Ranks.” Accessed August 9, 2022.
13 Daily Republican-Register (Mount Carmel, Illinois). “Inspection Of Company Is Completed.” March 3, 1950.
14 The Dispatch (Moline, Illinois). “Native Moliner, 3 Others Assigned to Islands Post.” July 30, 1957.
15 Paul, Mack. “Elwood G Lehnus.” Find a Grave. October 10, 2011.
16 The Hall of Valor Project. “Bronze Star Recipients.” Accessed August 9, 2022.
17 Roll of Honor. “Army Commendation Medal.” Accessed August 9, 2022.
18 Page 221 Army Registers, 1798-1969 – Fold3
19 The Dispatch (Moline, Illinois). “Native Moliner, 3 Others Assigned to Islands Post.” July 30, 1957.
20 Elwood_G_Lehnus_Obituary (ancestry.com)
21 Paul, Mack. “Elwood G Lehnus.” Find a Grave. October 10, 2011.