Paul Lease may have served as a corporal in the Marine Corps more than six decades ago, but he is a Marine to the core. He enlisted in June 1946 and was immediately sent from his Maryland home out to the West Coast. Lease was then involved in infantry and supply operations at Pearl Harbor, Guam, Philippines and China.
Paul Lease may have served as a corporal in the Marine Corps more than six decades ago, but he is a Marine to the core. He enlisted in June 1946 and was immediately sent from his Maryland home out to the West Coast. Lease was then involved in infantry and supply operations at Pearl Harbor, Guam, Philippines and China.
Paul Lease may have served as a corporal in the Marine Corps more than six decades ago, but he is a Marine to the core.
He enlisted in June 1946 and was immediately sent from his Maryland home out to the West Coast. Lease was then involved in infantry and supply operations at Pearl Harbor, Guam, Philippines and China.
Lease was honorably discharged in 1948, but stayed in the inactive reserve. He attended college for just a year when he was called again in 1950 to Norfolk, Virginia, to work in supply for a year.
After the military, Lease pursued a civilian career working at Hercules Powder Company, which manufactured rockets for the military. He spent 26 years at the company working in the research division.
Lease has been a member of the Marine Corps Association & Foundation for about 25 years. His membership was initially a gift from his son, who spent more than 30 years in the Marine Corps and retired as a lieutenant colonel.
“It helps me stay in constant touch with the Marine Corps,” Lease said.
Lease’s grandson was also in the Marine Corps and Lease said he is proud to be part of a family with three generations who served in the Corps.
Lease has been heavily involved with the Marine Corps League since he joined in 2002. He belongs to his local chapter 1071 Mountainside Marines from his home in La Vale, Maryland. He was the first to receive the chapter’s Marine of the Year recognition.
“I’m a true Marine,” Lease said. “I believe in everything they do and they really help so many people.”
As part of his league involvement, Lease attends all the funerals in the area of Marines who have passed. He frames and presents a service certificate to the family of the deceased. He also assists with administration duties at the Veterans Administration clinic each week. Lease and his league chapter take frequent trips to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to visit the wounded servicemembers and donate needed items.
“I participate in so many local activities because I’m interested in showing my patriotism,” Lease said.
It’s part of his duty as a veteran to help his fellow Marines, both retired and active.
“The Marines and the veterans have to stick together,” Lease said. “We help one another and the kids have got to be supported, the ones that are (overseas), and we’re here to support them.”