DUKE LEILAND M

LTC Leiland M. Duke was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 06/19/2013 at the age of 74.7 from Stroke
Germantown, TN
Flight Class (USMC)
Date of Birth 10/08/1938
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps
Served in Vietnam with VMFA-314 in 65-66, H&MS-11 in 66, VMO-6 in 69
Call sign in Vietnam SEAWORTHY REBEL
This information was provided by Betty Leiland (wife)

More detail on this person: Lt. Col. Leiland M. Duke, Jr., USMC (Retired), age 74, died while on vacation on June 19, 2013 in Rapid City, SD, after a massive stroke. He is survived by his wife of 50 plus years, Betty, and his three daughters, Beth Jones (Brian), Lisa Pierce (Julian) and Katherine Naumann (Erik), eight grandchildren and his sister, Susan Duke Woods, and Marion Burke, Jim Moore, Bill Moore and many nieces and nephews. Leiland, a graduate of Auburn University, enjoyed a long and illustrious career in aviation beginning in college, then as a pilot in the USMC and later with Fed Ex. A decorated Vietnam veteran, he was rated in all types of aircraft and was recently awarded the Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" Award for fifty years in aviation without an accident or incident.

Leiland especially enjoyed introducing new students to aviation. Leiland was a member of the Memphis Astronomical Society, served on the board of directors at the United Methodist Neighborhood Center, was a Germantown reserve police officer and a member of Germantown United Methodist Church, where he served on many boards and played hand bells. The family honored Leiland's wishes to be an organ and tissue donor and found great comfort in knowing that he lives on in someone who received his parting gift.

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025