From PFC to Master Sergeant: An Easy-Co 304th Regt Veteran Identified IKE

Master Sergeant Lyle LeLand G-A-S-K-I-L-L was born on November 12, 1918 in Fairfield, Idaho. One of four brothers, Lyle enlisted in June of 1944. Upon completion of Basic and Infantry Training, he was quickly fast-tracked to 3rd Platoon, Easy Company, 304th Regiment, 76th Division in time for their departure for the ETO on Thanksgiving Day, 1944. He served in all three Campaigns with the 76th and at the cessation of combat, was a PFC. Lyle stayed on for Occupation Duty and was ultimately discharged as a Master Sergeant in 1946. 3 out of 4 brothers served during the war and their picture is below. Two served in the Pacific and Lyle was the lone man in the EAME. All survived the war unscathed.

After the war, Lyle began a career in casualty insurance which remained his life's work. He married his wife Edna in January of 1950 and together they had three children. He passed away in July of 1996.