FAMOUS MARINES: U

Leon Uris

(1924-2003)

Best-selling American Author

Leon M. Uris was born on August 3, 1924, in Baltimore, Maryland. During his senior year of high school in 1942, Leon dropped out of school to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. His MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was that of field radio operator. During World War II, Uris participated in the famous battles on the Japanese islands of Guadalcanal and Tarawa. Later on, he became sick with malaria and was transferred back to the United States, to serve out the remainder of the war. Leon was finally discharged in 1946.