FC2c David Alonzo Leedy

David Alonzo Leedy joined the Navy soon after his 1937 graduation in southeast Iowa from Muscatine High School where he played football, basketball, and track.

He was born Oct. 30, 1919 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Harry and Mabel Leedy. HIs father was a machinist at a sawmill and later at a railroad. In the 1930 Census his mother was a clerk at a dry goods store.

Mr. Leedy was a fire controlman and petty officer second class on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed In the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

A memorial service honored him in February 1942 at Grace Lutheran Church in Muscatine.

A second man from Muscatine, whose 1940 population was about 18,000, also died on the Arizona. Arthur Anthony Bersch was about a year younger and graduated from St. Mathias Catholic High School.

Sources: The Muscatine (Iowa) Journal; Census; Navy muster roll; Defense Department. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Muscatine High School yearbook. Navy photograph. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.