Birth: 30 MAY 1890BedfordCuyahoga CountyOhio, USA Death: 20 SEP 1951Great Lakes Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, North ChicagoLake CountyIllinois, USA LELAND ‘Lou' DIAMONDMaster Gunnery Sergeant, USMC (Ret.) Deceased30 May 1890 – 20 September 1951Son of Herbert Caleb Diamond NWMP, (6.3) 1864 – 1932 of the famous DIAMOND BROTHERS of the 1883-1888, North-West Mounted Police, Red Deer, Alberta and Miona Mima Ellenor 1866 – 1921."Gunny" LELAND ‘Lou' DIAMOND was one of the most famous of all "Old Breed" fighting "Leathernecks". Decorated for bravery on many occasions, offered a commission, he represents a legend which constitutes a colorful chapter in Marine Corps tradition and history. "Gunny" was legendary for many feats of valor, but is most famous for his accuracy with both 60 millimeter and 81 millimeter mortars. As legend has it, during the World War II Battle of Guadalcanal, he put on a spectacular show by dueling with a Japanese Naval ship using an 81mm mortar. He placed a mortar shell right in the smoke stake of a Japanese Cruiser, becoming the first ground infantryman to sink an enemy ship using a mortar. His accurate mortar fire was credited numerous times as being the turning point in many engagements in the Pacific during World War II. His face, sun-bronzed and accentuated by a neatly trimmed gray goatee, was well known at posts and stations throughout the world. His comrades called him "Lou," but he was thought of, often, as "Mr. Marine" and "Mr. Leatherneck". Because of the incredible voice, which matched his 5-foot, 11-inch, 200-pound frame, "Gunny Diamond" was once dubbed "The Honker." Though cool in training and battle, he was rarely quiet. According to his World War I buddies, "The tougher the action, the louder "Gunny Diamond" would yell." Many of his comrades at Guadalcanal considered him "a human air-raid warning system"."Gunny" DIAMOND is a direct descendant of the Hudson River Valley Algonquian (Naumkeag-Wampanog) Diamond Family, Pre-American Revolution. The American Indian Native Family was adopted by the European Diamond family of Marblehead, Essex Co., Massachusetts Bay Colony, during the Metacom's War period of 1675–1678."Gunny" DIAMOND is also a United Empire Loyalist Descendant of John Diamond 1759 – 1845 of Fishkill, Dutchess Co., New York Province, America and Fredericksburgh, Lennox & Addington Co., ON, Canada."Gunny" DIAMOND'S United Empire Loyalist Linage connects him directly to his G-Grandfather William Frederick Diamond of the War of 1812, Canadian Rebellion of 1837 and Fenian Raids 1866-1870. (bio by: Jack Diamond – [email protected] - 2nd cousin 1x removed)