According to the 32nd Infantry Division website, the “Red Arrow” division was originally established with National Guard members from Wisconsin and Michigan. Some of their training took place at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin. The entire National Guard was ordered into service in WWII by President Roosevelt in September 1940. Their report date was October 15, 1940. They first reported to Camp Beauregard in Louisiana. On April 22, 1942 the division left San Francisco and was sent to Australia. They were stationed at Camp Woodside and Camp Sandy Creek near Adelaide. In July of 1942, they moved to Camp Tamborine (later called Camp Cable) near Brisbane.

The 32nd division was involved in the Papuan campaign from September of 1942 to January 1943, the New Guinea campaign from January 1944 to November 1944, the Leyte campaign from November 1944 to January 1945, and the Luzon campaign from January 1945 to August 1945.

Technical Sergeant Leslie Tertin served with Company K of the 128th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army.

Leslie A. Tertin was born August 27, 1918 in Green County, Wisconsin to Paul and Eslie (Stalcup) Tertin.

From the 1920 U.S. Census, the Tertin family lived in Monroe in Green County. The household included father Paul, mother Elsie, and children Walter and Leslie. Father Paul was a county truck driver.

From the 1940 U.S. Census, the Tertin family lived in the same house as they did in 1935. Father Paul was a laborer in the highway department and son Leslie was a laborer in a machine shop.

On June 16, 1941 Leslie A. Tertin enlisted for service prior to U.S. entry into WWII at Jacksonville AAF in Florida. He had a one-year enlistment. He was a Sergeant in the Infantry. His civilian occupation was machinist.

Leslie A. Tertin was admitted to a military hospital in April 1945 at Camp Ellis, Illinois. 

From the August 30, 1945 Monroe Evening Times there was a notice that “Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tertin have returned from visiting their son, T/Sgt. Leslie Tertin, Percy Jones hospital, Battle Creek, Mich.”

From November 20, 1945 Monroe Evening Times article titled ‘Sgt. Tertin, Co. K, Dead in Hospital,” the article stated “T/Sgt. Leslie A. Tertin, 27, died in Percy Jones General hospital in Battle Creek, Mich…Monday. Hospitalized there since last May, Sergeant Tertin had suffered from Hodgkin’s disease. His mother who has been with him, will return to Monroe this evening.

The son of Paul and Elsie Stalcup Tertin … Leslie A. Tertin was born in Monroe…and graduated from the high school in 1935 (sic: 1936) and was employed as a machinist for the Nick Carter Machine Shop before going to service.

He left with Co. K and served in Australia and New Guinea before returning to the States last November. During his services overseas, Sergeant Tertin was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. Upon returning to the States, he spent a furlough at home and then reported at Hot Springs, Ark., for redistribution, being sent to Percy Jones hospital when his health became poor.

Surviving are his parents and one brother, Cpl. Walter Tertin, last known to have been in India; and his two grandmothers, Mrs. Johanna Tertin and Mrs. Martha Stalcup, both of Monroe...”

From the November 24, 1945 Monroe Evening Times funerals section, the article for “Sgt. Leslie A. Tertin,” stated “Hundreds of friends and relatives crowded the Shriner-Neushwander funeral home … for the funeral services of Sgt. Leslie A. Tertin...”

Technical Sergeant Leslie A. Tertin was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe in Green County. He was listed on the Green County Veterans Service list. Because he died while in service in a military hospital after WWII had ended, he is not considered a WWII Fallen Soldier. However, he deserves inclusion in this memorial project.

Thank you, Technical Sergeant Leslie A. Tertin, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.