Henry Leslie Stapleton

  General Notes:

Henry Leslie (Son) was with the 34th Tank Battalion, 5th Armoured Division from 8 March 1942 through 17 October 1945, during World War II. The 5th went into Normandy as the beachhead was established in April 1944. He drove tanks, jeeps and half tracks. He was shot out of a jeep and received the purple heart by a grateful nation. The 5th saw service in France, Belgium, Lexemburg, and Germany. The 5th spearheaded the drive to the Elbe River during the rest of the war. After the war, Son returned from the war and married Betty Large. The Stapleton's family ranched for themselves for some years and later he worked on the Dunbar Ranches at Camp Bullis, The Coca-Cola Company Riding River Ranch at Kent Creek and the Prade Creek Ranch. - Steve M. Stapleton

  Additional Information:

• Military Service: 5th armoured division in Europe: World War II.

Henry married Sonora Belle Heartgroves on 26 Apr 1939. (Sonora Belle Heartgroves was born on 26 Sep 1917 in Burnet, Burnet County, Texas and died on 9 Mar 1997 in Texas.)

Henry next married Betty Jean Large, daughter of George B. Large and Viola Tomerlin, on 25 Dec 1945.