The History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1881 gives a detailed account of this young man’s devotion to the Union. Fighting with coolness bravery,” is how Captain C.M.G. Eicholtz of Co, B, 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteers described 15 -year-old Isaac Van Leer during the Battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia. Eicholtz reported that Van Leer’s voice could be […]
Category: Army
The Colonel
Van Leer’s long military career started with his appointment as second Lieutenant Engineer in the for the U.S. Army in July 1917. He was promoted after World War I and became a Captain. Van Leer was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. He later became a colonel before WW2. Blake Ragsdale Van Leer (August 16, 1893 – January 23, 1956) […]