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Lee Channing Zeigler

–September 7, 1942

Service #: *****
Residence: Jones, Iowa
Education: *****
Occupation: *****
Marital Status: *****
Enlistment Date: April 13, 1940
Enlistment Place: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Service/Unit: Navy
Awards: *****
Burial: *****

Ensign Zeigler Dies From The Result Of
Navy Plane Crash On Monday in Florida

This community was saddened Monday when the news of Chan Zeigler's untimely death reached Anamosa. Ensign Zeigler died of injuries sustained in an airplane accident at Ellyson Field, Pensacola, Florida. A student flyer, David Hunter, was slso killed in the accident. This is the first casualty of an Anamosa man in the armed forces and shocked the community into realization that this is war with all it's terrible reality.

Leigh Chnning Zeigler was born in Muscatine, Iowa, February 5th, 1919, and moved to New Boston with his parents at the age of seven years. He completed his sophomore high school year at New Boston before moving to Anamosa with his parents. He was graduated from the Anamosa High School with the class of 1936. He attended Iowa State College at Ames for three years where he was affiliated with the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. In April of 1941, he enlisted in the naval air corps at Cedar Rapids. He received his early training at Glen View, Ill, and then was sent to Jacksonville, Florida, and later to Pensacola. He received his wings and commission as Ensign in the U. S. Navy on December 31,1941. He was serving as instructor in Squadron No. 2 when the accident occurred.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Zeigler, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Zeigler of New Boston and Mrs. S. F. Shiek of Muscatine. The body will be cremated and brought to Anamosa where funeral services will be held.

Chan Zeigler typified the American fighter of 1942, clean, wholesome and intelligent. He loved the branch of the service in which he rose to the rank of Ensign within a year. This commission was garnered by hard and diligent training. Only last March when home on furlough he had nothing but praise for the Service and was always proud to be doing his part. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the bereaved parents, who have borne their sorrow so bravely, with a fervent prayer that the supreme sacrifice that Chan made will someday once again lead the world to a path, of righteousness, where nations will become civilized and live in peace.

Chan Zeiglers Last Letter

On Wednesday, 2 days following the news of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Zeigler received the following letter:—

Sunday

Dear Folks:

I am sorry that I didn't write sooner but last week I had a little outside influence that kept me busy. Work here at the squadron is going rather well. I am under instructor of the engineering department and then in the education division I am teaching math to enlisted men to try and help them improve their rates. They say I am making it interesting and I know I am having a lot of fun. I have been averaging my quota number of hours in the air for the past few months. Yep, I am sure looking forward to you folks being here with me for awhile, cause I think we will have a lot of fun. It is too bad we had to move to the B. O. Q. (bachelor officer's quarters) because you could have stayed in the house with us where we were. But unless something unforseen happens I'll be living in the B. O. Q. when you get here. Remember I am in the opposite direction from camp. Also there is a new camp near town that has been completed since you were here. Of course it's a long way off, but I am starting to think about you being here already.

Jean Foley looked nice in her picture, I suppose they will be a nice couple.

Well, don't worry about me.

Love, Chan.

Wednesday Mr. and Mrs. Zeigler wired condolence to the parents of the student killed with Chan and received the following answer:—"Thank you we are thinking of you tonight—David Hunter's mother and sister.

Source: Anamosa Eureka, Anamosa, Iowa, September 10, 1942

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Photo: Jackie