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Private First Class James William McLeran

A young man in a Marine Corps uniform and hat.
  • Unit: 5th Marine Division, 27th Marine Regiment, 2nd Battalion
  • Date of Birth: August 15, 1925
  • Entered the Military: August 15, 1943
  • Date of Death: January 23, 2010
  • Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
  • Place of Death: Des Moines, Iowa
  • Award(s): World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Purple Heart, Expert Rifleman Badge
  • Cemetery: Wall 2, Row A, Site 5. Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Adel, Iowa
Contributed by Cade Adams, Lucas Bauer, Jace Brown, Alex Johnson, Rory Tiernan, and Rory Trygstad
Mentored by Mr. Jon Markus
Adel DeSoto Minburn Middle School
2025/2026

Early Life

James William McLeran was born on August 15, 1925, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Gail Royal McLeran and Lula Belle “Lou” (Rector) Folsom. Growing up in a large household, he was the second of eleven children, with older sister Vera Lou, and nine younger siblings: Barbara, Rhoda, John Robert, Saline, Sue Anne, Nile, Herbert, Jerry, and Ronald Dean.

While he was still young, the family moved to Chicago; however, they moved back to Des Moines when he was 13, where he attended and graduated from East High School. On his eighteenth birthday, August 15, 1943, McLeran answered the call of duty and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to serve in the fighting during World War II.

 Anne, Nile, Herbert. Missing are Jerry and Ronald Dean, 1951. Courtesy of the McLeran Family.

Homefront

James William McLeran grew up in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital, during a time when the state was at the forefront of American agricultural production. When the United States entered World War II, Iowa became essential to feeding troops through abundant corn, pigs, eggs, and soybeans.

Not only was Iowa’s agriculture important for the war effort, but Iowa also felt a local push for the military industry. Just northeast of McLeran’s hometown of Des Moines, a factory in the town of Ankeny was turned into an ammunition factory, known as the Des Moines Ordnance Plant, to help the war effort. This was a massive ammunition facility that supplied the front lines of the war. Additionally, in 1941, the 132nd Wing was established at the Des Moines airport to support military aviation and training. 

At the community level, Des Moines residents were active in supporting the military through fundraisers, such as Red Cross tire auctions, during this period. Additionally, Victory Garden advertisements were common propaganda in Des Moines newspapers to support food supply issues.

Significant social changes were also apparent in Des Moines during this time. Fort Des Moines made history as the primary training ground for the Women’s Army Corps. This shift in the workforce extended beyond the military, as women stepped up to fill vacancies left by men who enlisted in traditionally male-dominated local industries, such as welding and aviation.

A Victory Garden advertisement from the Des Moines Register promoting food conservation efforts, February 28, 1943.
Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School was the primary training center for the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. U.S. Army Center of Military History.

Military Experience

James William McLeran enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on October 28, 1943, in Des Moines, Iowa. He began his military training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, before transferring to the Infantry Battalion Training Center at Camp Pendleton. There, he trained as a Light Machine Gun Crewman and earned the Expert Rifle Badge. McLeran achieved the rank of private first class and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division.

In August 1944, Private First Class McLeran deployed to fight in the Central Pacific Theater. On February 19, 1945, he participated in the D-Day amphibious assault on Iwo Jima. During the fighting, McLeran was severely wounded by a shell blast concussion. While still on the island, he witnessed the iconic flag raising on February 23, 1945. 

After being wounded, McLeran returned to the United States aboard SS Lurline in April 1945 to recover from his injuries. Medical records indicate that he struggled with symptoms related to his concussion, and doctors determined that he could not return to service. He received an Honorable Discharge on August 2, 1945. 

For his brave service, McLeran was awarded the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.

The  5th  Marine Division landed on Iwo Jima with Mount Suribachi in the background on D-Day, February 19, 1945. Courtesy of the McLeran Family.
A collection of military awards earned by Private First Class James William McLeran, 2004. Courtesy of the McLeran Family.
James McLeran’s report of separation from the Marine Corps, detailing his military service. Portions have been redacted for privacy reasons. National Archives and Records Administration.

Veteran Experience

After his time in the war, McLeran returned home and married Doris Lee Shaw on August 22, 1946. They shared a 63-year marriage and raised three daughters, Kathleen, Marnee, and Polly. McLeran attended Drake University, where he played football and graduated in 1949. 

He then began a long career in education and athletics, teaching social studies and serving as head football coach in Eldora. In 1953, he was hired to coach both the Boone basketball and football teams. He eventually settled back in Des Moines, where he taught physical education and coached football at North and Hoover High Schools until his retirement in 1991.

Beyond his career, McLeran was highly active in his community. He was a charter member of the Virgil McLeran Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Chicago, Illinois, and held memberships in the Masonic Lodge and the Urbandale American Legion. He and Doris were also active participants in the “Over the Hill Gang” at Drake University. In his free time, he was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears, enjoyed visiting horse races across the country, and loved traveling the world with his wife and friends.

McLeran played football for Drake University. Des Moines Register, November 2, 1947.
James McLeran and other Drake Football teammates warm up by a fire before the Salad Bowl Game. Des Moines Register, December 17, 1948.
The 1950 Federal Census shows the McLeran family living in Hardin, Iowa. National Archives and Records Administration.

Commemoration

James William McLeran passed away peacefully on January 23, 2010, surrounded by his family at the Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines, Iowa. He was 84 years old. His wife, Doris, died a year later. Today, they rest at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa. 

McLeran’s legacy lives on through the family he built with his wife of 63 years, Doris, and the countless students and athletes he mentored over his long career. He is survived by his three daughters—Kathleen, Marnee, and Polly—as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His dedication to his country also inspired future generations of his family to serve; his daughter, Kathleen, retired from the U.S. Air Force, and his grandson, Jeff, participated in ROTC. McLeran is remembered for both his heroism and sacrifices on Iwo Jima and his lifelong dedication to education and his community.

James and Doris McLeran’s marker at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa, February 27, 2026. Courtesy of Chris Preperato.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

“Bienemann’s Catch Overcomes Teacher Edge.” Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], November 2, 1947. Proquest.com (2102725707).

“BOONE FIRES JIM MCLERAN.” Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], March 28, 1953. Proquest.com (2102743416).

Craig, Knox. “12 TEACHERS AT ELDORA RESIGN.” Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], March 22, 1953. Proquest.com (2102759496).

“Doris (Shaw) McLeran Windsor Heights. Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], July 30, 2011. Proquest.com (​​2022340922).

“Dorlslee Shaw, J. W. McLeran Exchange Vows.” Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], August 31, 1946. Proquest.com (2102984904)

“Drake ‘Warms Up’ for Salad Bowl Game.“ Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], December 17, 1948. Proquest.com (2098329573).

“Feller Learns Tricks of the Navy ‘Business.’” Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], January 12, 1942. Proquest.com (2098328069).

Iowa 1945. Map. Iowa Department of Transportation. 1945. https://iowadot.gov/media/5609/download?inline=. 

Iowa. Hardin County. 1950 U.S. Census. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassrom.com. 

J W McLeran. Iowa, U.S., State Census Collection, 1836-1925. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassrom.com. 

James W McLeran. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2020. https://ancestryclassrom.com. 

James Willian McLeran. Iowa, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1880-1949. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassrom.com. 

James Willian McLeran. Iowa, U.S., World War II Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassrom.com. 

James William McLeran. U.S., Korean War Era Draft Cards 1948-1959. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassrom.com. 

James William McLeran. U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016. Digital images. https://ancestryclassrom.com. 

James William McLeran. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassrom.com. 

“McLeran Chosen New Grid Coach at Boone.“ Iowa City Press-Citizen, [Iowa City, Iowa], April 10, 1953. Proquest.com (3233708465).

McLeran, Kathleen, Marnee, & Polly. In-person interview with authors. December 12, 2025.

McLeran, Marnee. Email message to the author. February 25, 2026.

“Miss Shaw Is Honored.” Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], August 21, 1946.

State of Iowa Official Register, 1943–1944. State of Iowa, 1944. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/shelves/redbooks/Redbook-1943-1944%20(50GA).pdf. 

“We are Growing a Victory Garden.” Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], February 28, 1943. Proquest.com (2098425658).

Wilson, Brad. “Prep Pride.” Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], September 12, 1951. 

“WOMEN!! WAR! HELP!” Des Moines Register [Des Moines, Iowa], January 12, 1942. Proquest.com

Secondary Sources

Bellafaire, Judith L. The Women’s Army Corps: A Commemoration of World War II Service. U.S. Army Center of Military History, 1993. https://history.army.mil/Portals/143/Images/Publications/Publication%20By%20Title%20Images/C%20Img/campaigns-wwii/pdf/40.pdf.

“Doris Lee Shaw McLeran.” Find a Grave. Updated July 29, 2011. Accessed April 2, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74130503/doris_lee-mcleran. 

Examining the Zeros: Legislative Session at the Homefront. Legislative Services Agency, Iowa General Assembly. Updated September 2023. Accessed April 2, 2026. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/TB/1386328.pdf.

“History.” 132d Wing, Iowa Air National Guard. Accessed November 11, 2025. https://www.132dwing.ang.af.mil/About-Us/History/.

“Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.” U.S. Army. Accessed April 1, 2026. https://www.jmc.army.mil/Installations.aspx?id=Iowa. 

“James William ‘Jim’ McLeran.” Find a Grave. Updated July 5, 2011. Accessed April 2, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72796845/james-william-mcleran. 

“James William McLeran.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, National Cemetery Administration. Accessed April 2, 2026. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/JAMESWILLIAMMCLERAN/8088da. 

“Unit 9: The Great Depression in Iowa.” State Historical Society of Iowa. Accessed November 11, 2025. https://history.iowa.gov/learn/k-12-education/professional-learning/iowa-history-course/unit-9-iowa-great-depression.

Vergun, David. “Battle of Iwo Jima: 80 Years Later, Lessons Learned.” U.S. Department of War. February 19, 2025. https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/article/4069599/battle-of-iwo-jima-80-years-later-lessons-learned/.

This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.