Uncle Allen: 3/25/28 – 1/47

“I've planned I'm going to touch the sky

Some day when I have time,

I'll find a rugged peak

And to the top I'll climb.

And there I'll stand with arms outstretched

In clouds my hands will dip,

I'll trail a finger through the blue

And laugh with wind-kissed lip.

So – if you miss me bye and bye,

I've only gone to touch the sky.”

Leonard Allen Van Leuven, Born March 25, 1928, to Leonard Dewane and Opal Addie Van Leuven.

Redlands, Calif.

As a sophomore in 1944, Allen competed in Track, and took third place for the ten pound shot-put.

Again, as a junior, Allen repeated his shot-put technique, gaining second place in the 1945 competition.

Allen and his wife.

Declaration Day, 1946.

Allen's wife, Allen, and Allen's sister, Norma (“Sis”).

Allen standing by a vintage jeep, in Saipan.

Allen was 5' 10” tall, and weighed in at 175 pounds.

With the name “Vick” stenciled on the side of his Dodge Weapons Carrier, and plenty of buddies, Allen's behind the wheel, ready for action!

Allen, with an Officer friend. Check out the handy belt mounted glasses case on the Officer's belt.

Uncle Allen and a friend in front of a quonset hut on Saipan.

Here's an unruly bunch. Allen (bottom row, left) and a few of his friends, on Saipan.

Another picture of Allen and his friends in front of the quonset hut on Saipan.

Allen, in the hospital on Saipan, December, 1946. Smoking must have been allowed in the hospital then.

A newspaper article from the Oakland tribune, January 1947. Allen, a Navy nurse, and his mother, Opal.

Allen's grave site, at Mountain View Cemetery, in San Bernardino, Calif.

Although the picture isn't very clear, I suspect the person on the left is Leonard, and the on the right is Opal.

Another view of the grave site, this time with Leonard in the picture.

This picture shows Opal at the grave site.

A hand signed letter of condolences from the Secretary of the Navy; James Forrestal.

One of many telegrams expressing condolences. This one was sent to Norma from a friend.

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