Leppert Family Papers, 1918-2000

Held by The Filson Historical Society

Creator: Leppert Family

Title: Papers, 1918-2000

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department.

Size of Collection: 0.66 cubic feet

Location Number: Mss. A L591

Biographical Note

Harold Leppert (1916-1988) was one of five children born to John C. Leppert (1889-1969) and Agnes L. Horn Leppert (1891-1973) in Louisville, Kentucky. Harold worked for the Courier Journal before enlisting in the United States Army in 1941. He served abroad in India in the South East Asia Command Group. In 1943, Harold married Mary Belt (1920-1999), who served in the Army Nurse Corps. Harold returned to his position at the Courier Journal after returning to civilian life in 1946. He retired in 1981 and worked as a Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. Harold and Mary had three sons and two daughters. All three sons served in the military.

Harold’s younger brother Louis Leppert (1922-1944) also served in the United States Army during World War II. Louis served in the 104th Division, also known as the Timberwolves division. Louis was declared missing in action on November 7, 1944, while in Holland. In December, it was confirmed that Louis was killed in action. Louis was buried in the U.S. Military Cemetery Margraten in Limburg, Holland. In 1948, Louis’s remains were exhumed and sent to Louisville, Kentucky, to be buried in the Calvary Cemetery.

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and documents related to the World War II military service of Harold Leppert (1916-1988), his brother Louis Leppert (1922-1944), and Harold’s wife Mary Belt Leppert (1920-1999).

Folders 1-2 contain materials from disassembled scrapbooks in the order they were originally arranged. Folder 1 contains material related to the military service of Harold Leppert and Mary Belt Leppert during World War II. Folder 2 contains material related to the military service and death of Louis Leppert during World War II.

Folders 3-6 contain newsletters and newspaper clippings. Folders 3-5 contain various newsletters created by the Courier Journal/The Louisville Times for employees serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Folders 7-8 contain material related to the military service of Harold Leppert during World War II, including correspondence, medical exams, and certificates of service. Folder 7 contains Mary Belt Leppert’s certificate of service.

Related collections:
Leppert Family Photograph Collection (019PC15)

 

Folder List

Folder 1: Scrapbook 1, 1941-1988

Folder 2: Scrapbook 2, 1918-2000

Folder 3: Third and Liberty newsletters, 1942

Folder 4: The Bugle Call newsletters, 1944-1945

Folder 5: The Courier Journal newsletter to the Boys in Service, 1942-1944

Folder 6: Miscellaneous news clippings, 1942-1974

Folder 7: Harold Leppert and Mary Belt materials, 1935-1944

Folder 8: Harold Leppert materials, 1945-1972

 

Subject Headings

Christmas cards.

Correspondence.

Courier – journal (Louisville, Ky.).

Esala Perahera.

Foreign exchange.

Fort Thomas (Ky.)

Grief.

Knights of Columbus.

Military discharge.

Missing in action.

National Timberwolf Association.

Obstetrics.

Operational rations (Military supplies).

Purple Heart.

Thanksgiving.

United States. Army Nurse Corps.

United States. Army.

War cemeteries – Europe.

Wedding.

World War, 1939-1945.