In my classroom this week, I was explaining to my sixth graders how different our lives would be if we had been defeated in World War II. So, this week, even though it is not Memorial Day, but Veteran’s Day, it is appropriate to remember a young American hero who did not make it home, Leonard Calvin Rorrer, Sr.
Leonard Calvin Rorrer was born on the 5th of January 1922 to Wolford McKinley Rorrer and Cora Alberta Compton. Wolford’s parents were James Tyler Rorrer and Lucinda Ann Williams of the Green Hill area. Lucinda was the daughter of Marshall Green Williams and Amanda Penn Whalen who we discussed last week. Cora’s parents were Henry Tazewell Compton and Eliza Dora DeHart of Floyd County, Virginia.
Leonard was the third of six children born to Wolford and Cora Rorrer; his siblings were Earvin; Dorothy; Recie; Sylvia; and Claude. Leonard married Miss Alice “Claudine” Wood on the 3rd of October 1942. Claudine was the daughter of Reverend William Rufus Wood and Stella Mae Underwood of Meadows of Dan, Virginia.
Leonard enlisted in the United States Army on the 28th of December 1942 at Roanoke, Virginia. According to his enlistment records, he was 5 foot 9 inches tall, weighed 145 pounds, and was twenty years old. Leonard was sent to Europe to serve with the ordinance department of the 3523rd Auto Maintenance Company. Eight short months later, Leonard Calvin Rorrer, Jr. was born to the couple and little Leonard Jr. was only 10 months old when his father was killed on the 2nd of July 1944.
Claudine Wood Rorrer received a letter from a friend of Leonard who was stationed in England, and it was published in the Floyd Press in August 1944, “Dear Mrs. Rorrer, I received your letter on July 17th. I too was shocked and heartbroken over your husband’s death, as we were together our entire Army life up to the time of the unavoidable accident which caused his death. Leonard was of outstanding character and good conduct, as well as my personal friend. He was highly respected and well thought of by his entire company. His death, I am sure, was a shock and disappointment to each and every man who knew him as a friend as well as an excellent soldier. The men with whom he worked in the Armored Section were highly shocked at his death. The place and part he played In his section as well as his company cannot be filled by anyone as far as his ability and skill are concerned. Due to military regulations, it is at this time impossible for me to give details of the accident which caused his death. Immediately after the accident, Leonard was rushed to one of the best hospitals in Southern England. I assure you everything possible was done to sustain his life. But to my greatest sorrow and sympathy of the deepest feeling, he died a short time afterwards. On July 4th, Leonard was laid to rest in a beautiful cemetery in Southern England. I personally attended Leonard’s funeral accompanied by another close friend of his, Charles Van Fassen, of Staunton, Virginia. We Virginia boys, especially those who have lived in the Shenandoah Valley, had much in common. Leonard’s funeral was a military funeral of the most sacred nature. The service was conducted by the American chaplain who read Bible passages, one of which was the 23rd Psalm. Two beautiful prayers were said and in closing, taps were sounded over his grave. In this letter, I hope you find comfort in the things I have said in the loss of your dear husband. If there is anything further, I can tell you, don’t hesitate to write. Please accept this letter as a token of my friendship to you as it was to Leonard. Sincerely, Sgt. Ralph Gladwell.”
In January 1949, T/5 Leonard Calvin Rorrer, Sr.’s body was brought home to the mountains of Virginia and reinterred at the Lee Cemetery behind Tuggle’s Gap Baptist Church.
To all the veterans reading this, it is hard to express in words or actions how grateful I am for your service and sacrifices. Please be assured that I am teaching my students how invaluable each and every one of you are and that we would not enjoy all the freedoms we have without you. Woody may be reached at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com or (276) 692-9626.
