Robert Ralph McLeron was born August 7, 1922 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York to Alexander McLeron (1888-1936) and Mabel C. Harrop (1890-1935). His father was from Ireland and was a mechanic and later ran his own garage. His mom was from the Buffalo, New York area. They were married May 2, 1914 in Buffalo, NY. Before Robert was born the family lived in Owosso Michigan. The 1930 U.S. Census recorded the family living at 129 Broadway in Lancaster, NY. Robert was the fourth of the couples five sons. William, Roy and Howard were older and Richard was younger. Howard died of pneumonia at 8 months old. His mother died in August 1935 when Robert was only 13, leaving his father alone with four boys. His father commits suicide on January 20, 1936. Orphaned at 14 years old, he moved to Oneonta, NY to live with his aunt and uncle, Pauline and Earl Thompson. Earl was the Superintendent for New York State Elecric and Gas Corporation in Oneonta, NY. His younger brother Richard goes to live with his aunt and uncle Jesson in Somerset, Niagara, NY. Robert moved to Ithaca, NY when his aunt and uncle moved there sometime between 1940 and 1942.

At the time of this writing, his education record is unclear. The 1940 U.S. Census recorded him being 17 years old and in school, yet it also recorded that he had only completed 8 years of school. I could find no record of him attending schools in Oneonta, NY but a newspaper article that reported his death mentioned he attended schools in Ithaca. He appeared in an Ithaca, NY newspaper on April 22, 1942 as having been part of an Ithaca High School class that completed model airplanes.   He registers for the draft on June 30, 1942 in Ithaca, NY. He is 5'-8" tall and weighed 160 pounds. He has blue eyes and brown hair. About five months later he is drafted into the U.S. Army on November 11, 1942 in Syracuse, NY. and after basic training was assigned to Company "I", 275th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division.

There are personal accounts from Company "I", 275th Infantry Regiment members that have been recorded and saved at the 70th Infantry Division Association website that speak to what it must have been like for Robert from the time he left the U.S. until he was killed on January 1, 1945 - his first day in combat.  . I recommend George Marshall's which can be found at https://www.trailblazersww2.org/units_275_accounts_marshall.htm. 

The January 1, 1945 Daily Entry for the 275 Infantry notes:

"Jan. 1 1945

Capt. Long not heard from. Lt. Turner marched the Co. The Germans made a counter attack, so we had to dig in and in a big hurry. Capt. Long returned and the order came to move up. Darkness found us on the road and we ran into an enemy ambush. We withdrew, dug in and beat off an enemt counterattack. Results of action as follows:

KILLED IN ACTION: T/5 Robert R. McLeron, Pfc. Virgil E. Neller, Pfc Boeve E. Homer"

T/5 McLeron is awarded the Purple Heart and buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Department de la Moselle, Lorraine, France, Plot C, Row 29, Grave 79. 

If you notice any needed additions or corrections to this story please contact Jim Greenberg at nez13820@gmail.com. 

Sources

70th Infantry Division Association, 275th Infantry: I Co. Daily Reports, accessed at https://www.trailblazersww2.org/units_275_documents_I275_jan45.htm, February 22, 2023.

"Band, Colors Escort 92 Selectees", The Ithaca Journal, November 11, 1942, pg. 3. 

Find a Grave record for Tec5 Robert Ralph McLeron, accessed at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56658364/robert-ralph-mcleron, February 19, 2023.

"Former Ithaca Student Killed in War Area", The Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY, January 26, 1945, pg. 1. 

Marshall, George, 275th Inf. Accounts, 70th Infantry Division Association Website, accessed at https://www.trailblazersww2.org/units_275_accounts_marshall.htm, February 19, 2023.

"Model Planes Made By High School Students", The Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY,  April 22, 1942, pg. 5. 

National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for New York State, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147

New York Department of Health; Albany, NY; NY State Death Index ­

"R.R. McLeron, Former Oneonta Man, Killed", Press and Sun Bulletin, Binghamton, NY, Feb. 1, 1945, pg. 2.

United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.

 United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

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