Leslie "Les" Blanchard
 class photo, Oakland School |
 1942 LHS junior class |
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The following January 28, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 2:
- Leslie Blanchard, son of the Neil Blanchards, underwent an operation for appendicitis at Holy Family hospital, LaPorte, last Saturday. He is improving satisfactorily. The Blanchards, former residents, are now living in Knox.
This January 20, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- A letter from the Neil Blanchards, Kingsford Heights, informs us that they have received a letter from their son Leslie, who is now stationed somewhere overseas, but they do not yet know where. He also said he was well and getting along fine.
The following May 18, 1944, Lowell Tribune information was found on page 2, column 1:
- Another son of the Blanchards, Leslie, Signal Man 3/c, is on duty aboard ship, somewhere in the Pacific. The last time the parents received word from him he was well and said he enjoyed his work, but would be happy when he could come back to good old Indiana.
This July 13, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- A letter from Mrs. Neil Blanchard, now living at Kingsford Heights, states that their son, Leslie, S 1/c, wired them a few nights ago that he is now back in the U.S. with his outfit. He hopes to get home on furlough soon.
This Lowell Tribune information from August 17, 1944, was found on page 4, column 1:
- . . . Leslie, S1/c (SM), who has been on duty in the Pacific, has returned to his ship, after spending a few days at home recently. He also visited in Lowell.
This Lowell Tribune article was found in the January 4, 1945, issue (page 2, column 1):
- Mrs. Neil Blanchard, of Crown Point, who was in Lowell Tuesday, informed us they had heard from both their sons recently.
- A letter from Pfc. Neil Blanchard said he was enroute overseas, and would write more when he landed. He said he was feeling fine.
- Leslie Blanchard, S.M. 3/c, writes that he is still aboard a ship in the South Pacific, and had the surprise of his life recently when a number of sailors from another ship came aboard, and who should be among them but Pete Wehle, S 2/c, of Lowell. Les and Pete had an enjoyable visit talking of the old home town. Both the boys are getting along O.K.
This February 1, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- For our son Leslie Blanchard, S.M. 3/c, aboard ship in the Pacific:
- Dear God, he's still a little boy to me,
Please take his hand and guide him safely o'er the sea.
'Tis Thou alone who knows the dangers hidden there
Please God, be merciful, hear my humble prayer.
- When he feels sad and longs for home so dear,
Please let him know that Thou are ever near.
Please give him courage, strength and faith in Thee,
Dear God, please hear my humble plea.
- And if in line of duty, he is called to fight,
Please shield him thru the day and night,
And guide him on, through battle, storm and strife,
Please lead him back to peaceful, normal life.
- Please let him know that Thou art ever near
Ready and willing our humble prayers to hear,
Then teach him daily how "Thy will to ask"
And give him strength to do each daily task.
- --Written by Mrs. Neil Blanchard, Crown Point, Ind.
This July 12, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 3:
- Sydney Blanchard received a telephone call from his nephew, Leslie Blanchard, S 3/c (S.M.) Sunday. Leslie, son of the Neil Blanchards, now living at Crown Point, serves aboard a destroyer which was in a "mix-up" with the Japs and the ship is now in the navy yard undergoing repairs. Leslie said he was feeling fine and expects to leave for duty again soon.
This August 2, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- The Neil Blanchards, former residents here, now of Crown Point, are anxiously awaiting word from their son, Leslie Blanchard, Signalman 3/c, who is expected home soon. He arrived on the west coast two weeks ago.
- Their son, Neil, Jr., is now in France, and judging from pictures he recently sent his parents, is enjoying good health. Like all the other local boys, he would give anything to get home again.
This August 30, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
- A card from Mrs. Neil Blanchard, now of Crown Point, former residents here, says their son, Pfc. Neil Blanchard, Jr., is home from Europe on a 30 day furlough, and their son, Leslie, S.M. 3/c, is also home for 30 days. The boys had not seen each other for two years. Leslie has been serving in the Pacific area.
This October 4, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
- Leslie Blanchard, Signalman 3/c, was sent to San Francisco last week and on Saturday, Sept. 29, his parents received a telegram saying he is in the U.S.N. hospital at San Leandro, Calif. He had returned from Okinawa on July 7 and after several weeks on the west coast had spent 30 days at home in Crown Point, reporting at the naval reserve armory in Chicago, Sept. 21.
This November 15, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
- The Neil Blanchards of Crown Point, former residents here, have received word that their son, Leslie, Signalman 3/c, who has been in the naval hospital in San Leandro, California, since September, will be discharged from the navy and start home today, expecting to arrive at Crown Point the first of next week. He entered service May 14, 1943, taking his "boot" training at Great Lakes and graduating from the signal school at the University of Chicago. Following graduation he served aboard the U.S.S. Buoyant, a minesweeper in the Pacific, for 20 months, returning to the States last July.
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