Lt. John Leggett was raised and graduated from the Poughkeepsie, NY high school June 26, 1941 later moving with his family to Vermont. He joined the USAAF in 1942 and was awarded his pilot certification on March 25, 1943. He did duty based out of Berrechid, North Africa and Naples, Italy flying a P40. He was trained in Alabama and Arkansas before shipping to North Africa. While in Italy on a bomb run over Monte Cassino April 16, 1944 his plane was hit by artillery fire. He flew the plane safely to the safe zone at the Anzio beach area and jumped clear into the sea. Unfortunately while floating down in his chute, his plane above spiraling down collided into him. Lt. Leggett was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal posthumously