John Dennis Leary – KIA Vietnam
Lance Corporal John Dennis Leary
I CO, 3RD BN, 5TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
John “Denny” Leary, born July 8, 1948, was one of four children born to John P Leary and Mary Patricia (nee McInereny). His father died as Denny was preparing to graduate Collingswood High School - in May 1967, at the age of 48.
Denny was an outstanding and versatile athlete in school, lettering in three sports his junior and senior years and two sports as a sophomore. He was a member of four championship teams, two of which were undefeated.
He was a key member of the 1965 and 1966 Colonial Conference championship football teams, performing as an offensive receiver, defensive end, punter and placekicker. In wrestling, Denny helped lead his team to two consecutive Colonial championships in 1966 and 1967. He was a district champion at 157 pounds in his senior year. He also lettered in track for three years and was an outstanding miler. Additionally, he was awarded the Howard T Irvine Award for leadership and citizenship when he was a senior.
After high school John “Denny” attend Camden County College for a year and then entered the US Marine Corps in April 1968 and attained the rank of Lance Corporal (LCPL). On April 27th, 1969, Cpl Leary was killed by a hand grenade. He had been in combat for six months and his tour of duty would have been up in October. According to his sister, Jane, he received the Bronze Star.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his mother, Marty Patricia Leary, his brothers James C Leary and Charles A Leary and sister Jane A Leary.
On May 9, 1969, his funeral was held at the Robert Blake Funeral Home, followed by a High Mass of requiem Church of St John in Collingswood. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill, NJ.
In his obituary, in lieu of flowers, the family requested contributions be made to the newly formed John Dennis Leary Memorial Scholarship. His mother, football team members, classmates, and coaches of Collingswood High School established the fund days after his death.
In a beautifully written letter published in the Courier Post newspaper in 1989, by Jane Marie Hill, the sister of one of Denny’s best friends (John Hill), recants her childhood crush on Denny and when she learned of his death. Her brother John and Denny were inseparable and Denny was a most welcome addition to their family dinners. Her father, dubbed them clowns and heartbreakers. They were popular, good looking and athletic, yet their self-assurance only made them more charming.
Throughout Collingswood’s football tradition spanning 85 years and dozens of outstanding players, no uniform number had ever been retired. But on Veterans Day, November 11, 1994, during a Collingswood football game, with Denny’s family in attendance, John Dennis Leary's football jersey #86 was retired in honor of his sacrifice.
His mother eventually remarried and passed away in 2012. Just as in her son Denny’s obit in 1969, in lieu of flowers, contributions to the John Dennis Leary Memorial Scholarship were requested. A true sign his memory shall always live on.
1967 Collingswood High School Yearbook
1967 Collingswood High School Yearbook
Courier_Post_Fri__Nov_25__1966
Courier_Post_Thu__Jan_19__1967
Courier_Post_Thu__May_1__1969_
Courier_Post_Thu__May_8__1969
Courier_Post_Thu__May_8__1969
Courier_Post_Thu__May_8__1969
Courier_Post_Thu__May_8__1969
Courier_Post_Thu__May_8__1969
Courier_Post_Thu__May_8__1969
Courier_Post_Thu__Apr_27__1989
Courier_Post_Tue__Nov_8__1994
Courier_Post_Tue__Nov_8__1994
Command Chronology March 1969
Command Chronology April 1969
Sue Quinn-Morris, who was Event Coordinator and committee member for 2 Traveling Wall visits, indicates that family members of Denny have attended at least 2 Traveling Vietnam Wall visits in the Camden County area;
April 2009 – American Legion Post 372 of Cherry Hill, NJ hosted the Traveling Vietnam Wall on their property, located behind Cherry Hill West High School. Members of the Leary family attended the Candlelight Remembrance Vigil held on April 19, 2009.
September 2019 – Camden County hosted the ATVV Traveling Vietnam Wall on Veterans Island, Cooper River Park, Cherry Hill, NJ. Members of the Leary family attended the Candlelight Remembrance Vigil held on September 6, 2019.
MESSAGES LEFT FOR JOHN DENNY LEARY
We called him Denny. He was a great guy. I am his sister and he was my hero. It seemed that everyone loved him. He was an athlete---played football for Collingswood High School (undefeated 1966). He was a wrestler and a track star. He was voted “best-looking” of his senior class and he was awarded the “Brooks Irvine award” in his senior year. - Jane Anne Leary, Sister
MESSAGES LEFT ON THEWALL-USA
** Note that some of these messages are from years ago and their contact information may not be good anymore **
bruce ferguson
ferg0331@comcast.net
classmate and fellow Marine
908 bobwood ave Gloucester City N.J. 08030 U.S.A.
Friend, Spiritual brothers, Andy C.& I , Denny & John H. buddy sys
Denny was someone I looked up to, for his selfless giving of his time,compassion,and non-judgemental help when anyone needed him.I think of him almost daily.It's a great loss to our community to be without Denny.When it was time to name my son there could be no other choice- John Dennis Ferguson. We were together in Vietnam briefly, along with Andy & John Hill and reminissed about our high school days, the Greatest years of our lives and bonded as brothers. I MISS HIM DAILY and dearly! Thanks Den.
Dec 15, 2006
Denise (Dager) Bennett
dennybenny5@comcast.net
Collingswood High School Classmate
64 Dorset Court
Somerdale, NJ 08083 USA
We Will Always Remember Our Class of '67 Loss
Denny kidded me about having the same nickname. He was so handsome, athetic,and a genuinely nice guy - his death in Vietnam was so tragic. My family and I visited the Wall in Washington but I was moved to tears and could not locate John Dennis Leary's name. Denny will always hold a special place in the hearts of '67 Collingswood High School grads. We will always miss him.
Saturday, May 24, 2003
Doreen Clayton
dclayton@crab.rutgers.edu
childhood friend
1021 OaKwood Road
Haddonfield, NJ 08033 USA
DENNY LEARY NEVER FORGOTTEN
John 'Denny' Leary was a unique and outstanding friend, athlete, and a wonderful human being greatly loved by all who were fortunate to know him. He will always be remembered and missed by his friends from Collingswood High School Class of 1967.
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
KEITH RODGERS
itskeith49@cs.com
classmate
i45 Altair Dr
Sewell, NJ 08080 Glo
"Denny", though not a close friend, was an admired classmate and is missed along with Jay McCarthy who also gave his life in service to his country. This is written on 2/1/03, the day we lost seven Space Shuttle heroes. Sent to serve, home in our hearts.
Saturday, February 01, 2003
Dennis O'Hara
dohara@terranova.net
Classmate
302 Ryan Ave.
Key Largo, Fl. 33037 U.S.A.
A Friend
Only once in my life have I known someone who really cared about everyone he knew.Denny was that person.He didn't have to go out of his way to treat someone well, he did it naturally. I feel privliged to have known him and to be able to call him friend.His loss has been with me for over 30 years now,and I still feel that I would have rather paid his price while I was there than the world loss his special gift.
Sunday, February 02, 2003
Jim Concannon
jjc6@epix.net
School Teacher/Coach
Box 107-RD 2
Wapwallopen, PA 18660 USA
MEMORIES OF DENNY
I was a teacher/coach at Collingswood Junior and Senior High School. I only have good memories of Denny. He had an outstanding sense of humor and was always respectful of me. We laughed at a lot of crazy things he did. I can still see his face right now. He is sadly missed but always remembered. Rest in peace.
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Tom Carey
bigirish50@yahoo.com
I 3/5 1ST MARDIV
828Mcallister St Hanover PA 17331 USA
My Brother
Hey Denny, Been a long time since that day in the CAP unit. Sorry it's taken so long to say good bye. You took the time to welcome me to your squad along with J. Hill the day I got dropped out in the bush. I've never forgotten that. You put me at ease knowing I was scared out of my mind on that 1st day.I've been going through some old photos of our little band of brothers and I came across one of you and Hill and me. We must have been filling sand bags in 100 + degree heat and you are waring a hoodie with your arms wrapped around you like it was freezing and Hill has a look on his face like 'what the hell are you doing now', makes me smile. Any way just wanted to say thanks for helping a scared sh**less Marine get over the jitters that day. Rest in peace my brother. Semper Fi.
Aug 14, 2014