HR1568

LRB095 22758 GRL 53183 r






1

HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3
Representatives wish to thank Leon Jennings for his dedicated 
4
service to his nation in the battle of Iwo Jima during World 
5
War II; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, Leon Jennings entered active service with the U.S. 
7
Marine Corps on December 28, 1943 in Chicago; after training at 
8
the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, he was 
9
assigned to the 2nd Separate Engineer Battalion of the 5th 
10
Marine Division for training at Camp Lejeune and Guam; and

 
11
    WHEREAS, After Leon Jennings and his battalion landed on 
12
Iwo Jima on February 20, 1945, Mr. Jennings was principally 
13
assigned to perimeter security for his unit; he came close to 
14
being wounded when shrapnel from U.S. Navy gunfire pierced his 
15
mess kit that had been placed on the rim of his fighting hole; 
16
during his time on Iwo Jima, he bore witness to the historic 
17
event of the American flags being  raised on Mount Suribachi; 
18
and

 
19
    WHEREAS, After leaving Iwo Jima at the battle's end, Leon 
20
Jennings began training for the invasion of mainland Japan; in 
21
December of 1945, he was honorably discharged with the rank of 
22
Private First Class; and

 
 


 






HR1568
- 2 -
LRB095 22758 GRL 53183 r




1
    WHEREAS, After his honorable discharge, Leon Jennings had a 
2
40 year career with Seal Masters in Aurora; he played fast 
3
pitch softball for many years and is an accomplished bowler; 
4
and

 
5
    WHEREAS, Leon Jennings is a member of numerous 
6
organizations, including the Marine Corps League (Fox Valley 
7
Detachment 1233), the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Montgomery, 
8
the American Legion in Sugar Grove, and the Tiger Club and 
9
Phoenix Club in Aurora; and

 
10
    WHEREAS, Leon Jennings has been married to  Suzann for 40 
11
years; he has seven children, 21 grandchildren, and 10 
12
great-grandchildren; and
 
13
    WHEREAS, Leon Jennings' great courage and devotion to his 
14
country are worthy of the greatest respect; therefore, be it

 
15
    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
16
NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
17
thank Leon Jennings for his dedicated service to his nation in 
18
the battle of Iwo Jima during World War II and wish him the 
19
best in his future endeavors; and be it further

 
20
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
 


 






HR1568
- 3 -
LRB095 22758 GRL 53183 r




1
presented to Leon Jennings as a symbol of our esteem and 
2
respect.