University District Alliance in Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
William G. Leftwich, Jr. Memorial
Semper Fidelis
Photographed By Steve Masler, May 22, 2015
1. William G. Leftwich, Jr. Memorial Marker
Inscription.
William G. Leftwich, Jr. Memorial. Semper Fidelis. This monument is erected to preserve the memory of William G. Leftwich, Jr., Lt. Colonel, United States Marine Corps. A native Memphian who lost his life on November 18, 1970, when the helicopter carrying him and members of a reconnaissance team he had rescued from enemy territory crashed into a mountainside in South Vietnam. At the time of his death, he was commanding officer, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
This Central High School graduate was one of the outstanding officers of the Marine Corps at the time of his death. His heroic service in Vietnam earned him the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with two gold stars, the Air Medal with one gold star, and three Purple Hearts. He served as commander of the brigade of midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy during his senior year.
Lt. Colonel Leftwich was a patriot in the highest sense of the word, supporting the decisions of the leaders of our country with a quiet, competent performance of duty. He died because his concept of duty called for his personal attention to the needs of his men in trouble.
This monument is erected to preserve the memory of William G. Leftwich, Jr., Lt. Colonel, United States Marine Corps. A native Memphian who lost his life on November 18, 1970, when the helicopter carrying him and members of a reconnaissance team he had rescued from enemy territory crashed into a mountainside in South Vietnam. At the time of his death, he was commanding officer, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
This Central High School graduate was one of the outstanding officers of the Marine Corps at the time of his death. His heroic service in Vietnam earned him the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with two gold stars, the Air Medal with one gold star, and three Purple Hearts. He served as commander of the brigade of midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy during his senior year.
Lt. Colonel Leftwich was a patriot in the highest sense of the word, supporting the decisions of the leaders of our country with a quiet, competent performance of duty. He died because his concept of duty called for his personal attention to the needs of his men in trouble.
35° 6.924′ N, 89° 55.317′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in the University District Alliance. Memorial is at the intersection of Southern Ave., on the left when traveling west on Southern Ave.. The marker is located at the Leftwich Tennis Center near Audubon Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4145 Southern Ave, Memphis TN 38117, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Site view William G. Leftwich, Jr. Memorial Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 623 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on May 28, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 22, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
