Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
----Surnames: Shilts
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark, Co) 1/02/2019
American Legion to Honor Local Veteran (Leonard Shilts - 2019)
Leonard Shilts to be Recognized
Leonard Shilts will be one of two veterans honored by Legion Post 73 Jan. 7.
The Neillsville legion Post will continue its tradition of recognizing veterans by honoring area veteran Leonard Shilts.
Shilts was born in Gilman. He attended Donald Grade School for eight years and graduated from Gilman High School in 1951. He helped on the family farm until he joined the Marines in 1952.
He attended basic training in San Diego, CA. He had advanced infantry training at Camp Pendleton, CA. His training also included the radio telegraph operator course (Morse Code) in San Diego and non-commissioned officer training school.
Shilts served in South Korea from 1953 through 1954. He was the battalion radio chief in the 3rd Battalion 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Later he was stationed at Cherry Point, NC, where his job was ground to air control at the air field. He finished his three years of active duty there. In March 1961, he received his honorable discharge after nine years of obligated duty.
Upon discharge, he ran the family farm for a few years.
Shilts then moved to Milwaukee and worked underground construction for many years with the Laborers Union 113. He began as a laborer and then supervisor. He finished his career there as a licensed dynamite blaster.
In 1987, he moved his family to Neillsville retiring in 1990.
He married his wife, Jan, in 1980. They have 11 children - Julia, Jack, Debra, Gloria, Lenny Jr., Scott, Winnie, Kim, Tricia, Sean and Daina.
They have 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Shilts enjoys his hobby farm, raising beef, gardening and hunting. He is a life time member of the VFW.
Shilts will be honored Jan. 7 at the Legion, 6 Boon Boulevard. There will be a social hour at 4:30 p.m. with a potluck at 5:30 p.m.
