Leon Barry Duckworth Andrews was born March 10, 1918 in Jenny Lind, Sebastian Co., Ar. to Cloyd W. & Annie Josephine Broom Duckworth. In 1920, Rogers twsp. Sebastian Co., Leon is living with his mother Annie, sister Florella/Dorella and Annie's mother, Leon's gtrandmother. In 1930 Leon and sister Florella/Dorella are on the cenus twice....once in Dora Crawford Co., Ar. and once in Sebastian Co., Ar. On both census' they are living with Charley Mac & Robbie Louise Parkins Andrews. They are listed on the Fort Smith census as adopted and they are listed as last name Andrews. It is said that Robbie Louise Parkins was a half sister to Leon and Florella's birth father, C.W. Cloyd. This appears to be true by census records that show Cloyd's mother's second marriage was to a Parkins in Texas where both Louise and Cloyd were born. In 1940 Leon is still living with Charles and Louise Andrews as their son. October 16, 1940 Leon registered for the military draft at Parker School, Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. As you can see from the information below, Leon, son of Charles Andews was wounded in battle. He did not die. There was another Leon Barry Andrews about the same age who was in the Marines also. That Leon was killed in action May 5, 1945 as part of the Co C/1 Bn/5 Mar/1 Marine div Fmf. It makes me wonder if the Leon who was wounded in action and died was not the same Leon who was wounded in action and lived. Was the record wrong...not KIA but just WIA? It is interesting that the Leon KIA and the Leon WIA were both in the same Co C/1 Bn/5 Mar/1 Marine div. Leon Barry Andrews of this piece, according to the Dept of Veterans Affairs: Enlistment Branch: M Enlistment Date: 29 Jul 1941 Discharge Date: 16 Jun 1970 Enlistment Branch 1: M Enlistment Date 1: 17 Jun 1970 Discharge Date 1: 16 Oct 1973 How do we know this is the one from Fort Smith, from the obits in the newspapers when he passed away. Both obits I found say he was from Fort Smith, Arkansas. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 Name Leon Andrews Birth Date10 Mar 1918 Issue year Before 1951 Issue State Oklahoma Last Residence Kailua, Honolulu, Hawaii Death Date Jul 1987 The information from this record shows that at some time before 1951 Leon was in Oklahoma. Which explains the "Oklahoma" mentioned in the award of the Silver Star. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leon B. Andrews Place of Birth: Arkansas, Jenny Lind Home of record: Muldrow Oklahoma AWARDS AND CITATIONS Silver Star Awarded for actions during the World War II The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Leon B. Andrews (MCSN: 317525), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 17 September 1944. Assuming command after his platoon leader, platoon sergeant and all but three of his squad became casualties, Corporal Andrews kept the remnant of his own and the adjoining squad on the line. While attempting to knock out a Japanese pillbox, he led in the assault, giving encouragement to his men and, although his helmet was pierced by an enemy bullet during the fire fight, continued to advance and contributed to the success of his squad in neutralizing the hostile strong point. His courage, leadership, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. General Orders: Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 7630 (December 9, 1947) Action Date: September 17, 1944 Service: Marine Corps Rank: Corporal Company: Company C 1st Battalion 5th Marines 1st Marine Division In the Navy Casuality books he is mentioned as a 2Lt. The WIA referred to there was earlier than the Silver Star was awarded so perhaps after the Silver Star presentation he was promoted to 2Lt. Leon Barry Duckworth Andrews passed away July 28, 1987 in Kailua, Honolulu, Hawaii. U.S. Navy Casualties Books WIA Honolulu Star Bulletin July 29, 1987 Honolulu Advertiser July 30, 1987