Earl Howard Leland was born 7 Nov 1922 in Fingal, Barnes County, North Dakota. He was the son of Helmer Enwald Leland (1891-1980) and Louise Albertine Dahl (1894-1989). Both parents were born in Norway. Helmer immigrated to the US in 1909, Louise immigrated in 1904 and both became naturalized citizens. Earl is listed in the 1938 records of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Fingal.

Per the draft registration card dated 27 Jun 1942, Earl was 6-foot 1-inch tall, had hazel eyes, blonde hair and a light complexion. His father was the contact person and they were still living in Fingal, North Dakota.

Earl enlisted into the Army on 8 Sep 1942 in Fargo, North Dakota. He served in Company E, 397th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division.

Sgt Earl Howard Leland, we thank you for your dedication, service and sacrifice for our country. You are not forgotten.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org/). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smartphone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story.

If you have any details, photos, or corrections for this story, please email me by clicking on the words “Added by:” at the bottom of this story.

Kathy Harmon- Contributing Author, Stories Behind the Stars

Sources –

Page 5 WWII Army and Army Air Force Casualty List - Fold3

Fold3 - Earl H Leland in WWII Army Enlistment Records

U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 - Ancestry.com

1930 United States Federal Census - Ancestry.com

1940 United States Federal Census - Ancestry.com

U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 - Ancestry.com