The majority of the previous published “History Revisited” articles have revolved around places or things that no longer exist, or about individuals who are no longer alive. There are times however, when a historian has the fortune to be able sit and talk with an individual who can relay firsthand accounts about experiences and stories relating to what some might consider “modern history”: within the past 50 years or so.

Today’s “History Revisited” will be just that.

Coinciding with Veterans Day this year I thought I would take a little editorial privilege and write about a long-time friend and neighbor who, with little fanfare, honorably served our country while in the United States Army during World War II.

Ninety-five-year-old Groton native Arthur A. Greenleaf Jr. pretty much lived his entire life with his family on Pleasant Street. In May 1940, a month before graduating from Robert E. Fitch High School, and three days after turning 18, he enlisted in the Army National Guard, becoming a member of E Company, 3rd Battalion of the 118th Quarter Masters Regiment of the 43rd Infantry Division at Trumbull Field in Groton, now the Groton-New London Airport.

One weekend a month he would report for drill duty at the National Guard. In September 1940 he went to work as a welder apprentice at the Electric Boat Company. Within nine months, because of his apprenticeship training, he was ranked as a welder in the National Guard.

In February 1941, the entire 43rd Infantry Division, which was spread out in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont, including the group in Groton, was “called-up” (mobilized) to go to Camp Blanding in Stark, Fla.

Greenleaf recalls that all of the units, along with their vehicles and equipment, met in New Haven where they proceeded to Florida in what was one of the largest convoys ever conducted by the Army. It took nine days to reach Jacksonville, where, according to Greenleaf, his group slept overnight in what he described as an “elephant barn” once used by a circus, before moving onto Florida’s Camp Blanding. Once at Camp Blanding, they began their basic Army fighting skill training.

Then, on Dec. 7, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and America declared war against Japan. It was after this that Greenleaf’s Army life became hectic, traveling to several bases in the United States for training.

On Oct. 1, 1942, his unit was part of a six-ship convoy, along with four or five cruisers and a small destroyer, which traveled to Auckland, New Zealand. They spent three weeks there preparing the vehicles and equipment for the 93rd Division’s battle engagements.

This location marked the beginning of a rough and eventful military itinerary for Greenleaf and his fellow soldiers who spent almost three years together at various locations in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. During the interview, Mr. Greenleaf relayed several incidents wherein he and his unit performed their assigned duties onboard LST landing ships, while experiencing enemy fire.

The most noteworthy and perilous military memories relayed by Greenleaf occurred on Jan. 9, 1945, involving the landing operation of a Navy LST (Landing Ship, Tank), to which he was assigned, during the invasion of Luzon Island in the Philippines. A “buck” sergeant at the time, he and about six to eight soldiers, were assigned to oversee and coordinate unloading of the vehicles, ammunition and equipment from the LST to be used to support the soldiers of the 43rd Infantry Division.

When the LST first landed on the beach, all of the amphibious troop carriers, carrying the fighting troops, were off loaded very quickly. Throughout this initial landing, the LST was under constant enemy fire. The hostilities became so intense that the Navy withdrew the LST from the beach and went a short distance off shore until the resistance quieted some. The LST returned for a second landing and, although not as fierce as the previous landing, they were still under fire.

After about an hour and one-half, the mission of offloading the support equipment was completed. Greenleaf joined his fellow soldiers on the beach where they “hunkered-down” for the night and the following day joined up with the rest of the regiment.

For his heroic and meritorious actions during the landing on the beach at Luzon, Art Greenleaf was awarded the Bronze Star. For his service during his enlistment in the Army he was also awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the American Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

In August 1945, he was honorably discharged and returned to Groton where he immediately went to work at his father’s seafood retail and wholesale business on Thames Street.

Arthur Greenleaf’s military experiences were vast and interesting. He relayed them in a “matter-of-fact” manner, without embellishment or wanting of recognition. Although I have known him for almost 50 years, little did I know about Mr. Greenleaf’s military achievements and heroic actions. He, like all of those who have served and continue to serve our country in the military, deserves a heartfelt “Thank You for Your Services.”

His family, including his wife, four children, 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren have a great deal to be proud of.

Jim Streeter is the Groton town historian.