Rear Admiral Norman Henry Leslie, United States Coast Guard, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 25 August, 1898, the son of Norman Henry and Myrtie Oliver Leslie. He received his early education in the Chicago public schools and was graduated from Parker High School. Before enlisting in the Coast Guard as an ordinary seaman on 1 June 1918, he worked as a machinist.
He took the examination for cadetship at the Coast Guard Academy that same month and was honorably discharged as an ordinary seaman on 31 July to accept appointment as a cadet. He received a commission as Ensign on 7 March 1921. For his participation in World War I as a member of the Coast Guard serving under the Navy he was awarded a Victory Medal without clasp.
His first assignment was on the Cutter Seneca from which he was detached in August 1921 to serve on the Tuscarora. In January 1922, he was assigned to the Unalga, then based at Juneau, Alaska, and served aboard this cutter until October 1926. In connection with his duties with the Coast Guard Patrol in Alaskan waters, he was appointed a U.S. Deputy Marshal in February 1925.
In November 1926, he returned to the Cutter Seneca, based at New York, for a ten months' tour of duty upon completion of which he reported aboard the Coast Guard Destroyer Ericsson as executive officer. A year later he became commanding officer of the Coast Guard Destroyer Fanning and served in this capacity until June 1930.
He was assigned to duty at the Coast Guard Depot, Curtis Bay, Maryland, where he served for three years. During this time he was commended for assistance rendered to the Navy Airship Akron when it crashed in 1933. He was detached from the Depot in June 1933 and was designated as commanding officer of the Cutter Cahokia.
His next command was a shore station at Base Six, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he served four years, becoming Director of the Coast Guard Reserve in the Jacksonville District in September 1939. He was also named Public Relations Officer of the Jacksonville District soon after this.
In September 1941, he returned to sea duty in Alaskan waters as commanding officer of the Cutter Haida. While on this assignment he served additionally as United States Commissioner. He received the Navy Commendation Ribbon for outstanding performance of duty in command of Haida.
New Orleans was his next station. He became Chief of Staff to the District Coast Guard Officer, 8th Naval District, in November 1942. While Chief of Staff he was commended by Brig. General H.D. Munnikhuysen, QMC, for his assistance in establishing and conducting the Mounted Beach Patrol in the Eighth Naval District. On 27 December 1944, he relieved Captain William K. Scammell as District Coast Guard Officer, 8th Naval District.
In July 1945 Rear Admiral Leslie became District Coast Guard Officer of the 17th Naval District, with Headquarters at Ketchikan, Alaska. He served in this capacity until June 1947, when he assumed command of the 7th Coast Guard District, Miami, Florida.
Rear Admiral Leslie was transferred to Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C., in January 1949, and the following month he relieved Rear Admiral R.T. McElligott as Chief, Office of Personnel. Rear Admiral Leslie served in this capacity until August 1951, when designated 13th Coast Guard District Commander, Seattle, Wash. RADM Leslie died of a heart attack on March 15, 1953, while serving as Commander, 13th Coast Guard District. He was bured in Arlington National Cemetery on March 23.
After receiving a commission as an Ensign on 7 March 1921, he was promoted in rank as follows: Lieutenant (jg) 14 November 1921; Lieutenant 4 December 1925; Lieutenant Commander 7 March 1929; Commander 25 May 1940; Captain 20 June 1942; Commodore 1 June 1945; after the war when the rank of Commoore was abolished he reverted to Captain. He took oath of Rear Admiral on 10 March 1950.
Rear Admiral Leslie married Unis Frazier of Seattle, Washington, on 25 September 1926. They have one daughter.
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