Madison in Madison County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Capt. Dale M. Leslie U.S.M.C.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2021

1. Capt. Dale M. Leslie U.S.M.C. Marker

Inscription. Awarded the Navy Cross 1942 while in service to his country
Served the people of Madison County 32 years as Clerk of Circuit Court

Erected by Madison County Memorial Post 68, American Legion.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 30° 28.141′ N, 83° 24.761′ W. Marker is in Madison, Florida, in Madison County. It is on Southwest Range Avenue just south of Base Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 Southwest Range Avenue, Madison FL 32340, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Florida.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Captain Richard G. Bradford (within shouting distance of this marker); The Four Freedoms Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Seminole Indian War Blockhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Colin P. Kelly, Jr. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); W.T. Davis Building (about 400 feet away);

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Dial-Goza House (about 500 feet away); St. Mary's Episcopal Church (about 600 feet away); City of Madison (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Also see . . . Colonel Dale M. Leslie (Florida Veterans Hall of Fame).

Excerpt: Colonel Leslie is one of the most highly decorated Veterans of the World War II era. He served two tours of duty in the Asiatic Pacific war and one tour in North China during the Chinese Civil War. For his heroic services, he was awarded The Navy Cross, which is the United States military’s second highest combat decoration, awarded for valor in combat. He received this award for extraordinary heroism demonstrated while saving the lives of a large number of Marines who were cut off from their unit and surrounded by Japanese forces. He was also awarded 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroic action while serving in aerial combat in 2 separate operations in the Pacific war. He was also the recipient of 5 air medals for aerial achievement while flying 125 combat missions.
Captain Leslie retired from active duty on December 16, 1946 and returned to his home in Madison, FL where he
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2021

2. Capt. Dale M. Leslie U.S.M.C. Marker
Looking northwest across the plaza in front of the Madison County Courthouse. The Southwest Range Avenue & Base Street intersection is in the right background.
was hailed as a military hero for his valiant and heroic service in World War II. He remained in the Active Marine Corps Reserve after leaving active duty, serving in command positions at the Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL until his retirement in 1972 as a Colonel USMC (Ret).
In early 1948, he was elected as the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Madison County, FL, an office which he excelled in for the next 32 years. During this time, he was active in multiple civic organizations, striving tirelessly to improve life for the citizens of Madison County. He also had the reputation while serving as the Clerk of the Circuit Court as being a special friend to all Veterans who were facing legal problems within Madison County. He was known as the “Veteran’s best friend.” He was so well respected by the Veteran’s community of Madison County that American Legion Post #68 was instrumental along with other citizens in having a monument installed on the grounds of the Madison County Courthouse after his death in 1998.

(Submitted on May 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Madison County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2021

3. Madison County Courthouse

The marker is directly in front of the Madison County Courthouse west/front entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.