Poteshman, Leon (36629611) - Revision history

Admin: Add 20 July 1943 Camp Ritchie naturalization (Washington Post 21 Jul 1943)

2026-09-17T12:55:36Z

Add 20 July 1943 Camp Ritchie naturalization (Washington Post 21 Jul 1943)

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:55, 17 September 2026
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	He was born in Poland on February 22, 1922, grew up in France, and came to the United States while a teenager. He was born on February 22, 1922, and emigrated to the United States at age 16.		He was born in Poland on February 22, 1922, grew up in France, and came to the United States while a teenager. He was born on February 22, 1922, and emigrated to the United States at age 16.

	Leon was in the 7th Class at Camp Ritchie and served on French Team 416. Poteshman trained in military intelligence at Camp Ritchie and served as a French interpreter during the War interrogating collaborators with the Germans.		Leon was in the 7th Class at Camp Ritchie and served on French Team 416. Poteshman trained in military intelligence at Camp Ritchie and served as a French interpreter during the War interrogating collaborators with the Germans. On 20 July 1943, he was naturalized as a United States citizen in District Court in Washington, D.C., in a ceremony for Camp Ritchie soldiers reported the next day in ''The Washington Post''.

	From 1941 to 1942, Poteshman student at Illinois Institute of Technology (18 months). He served from 1943-45 in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland, and was stationed in Paris at the Headquarters of the 1st Army as an Interrogator. Leon worked as shipping clerk.		From 1941 to 1942, Poteshman student at Illinois Institute of Technology (18 months). He served from 1943-45 in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland, and was stationed in Paris at the Headquarters of the 1st Army as an Interrogator. Leon worked as shipping clerk.
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	4472743486080871.jpg\|On the left, Ritchie Boy Leon Poteshman is sitting on the lower stoop		4472743486080871.jpg\|On the left, Ritchie Boy Leon Poteshman is sitting on the lower stoop
	4472745236080696.jpg\|On the left, Ritchie Boy Leon Poteshman is sitting on the lower stoop		4472745236080696.jpg\|On the left, Ritchie Boy Leon Poteshman is sitting on the lower stoop
			Washington_Post_85_Soldiers_Naturalized_21_Jul_1943.jpg\|''Washington Post'', 21 July 1943 — naturalized 20 July 1943 (Camp Ritchie cohort ceremony, District Court, Washington, D.C.)

	</gallery>		</gallery>
	</div>		</div>
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	<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline">		<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline">
	<div class="soldier-timeline-body">		<div class="soldier-timeline-body">
	* Born 22 February 1922 in Lublin, Poland as Salomon Lejb Potyszman (Hebrew).
	* 12 June 1943 — Graduated Class 7 (MII French).		* 12 June 1943 — Graduated Class 7 (MII French).
	* 20 July 1943 — ~~Became naturalized~~ citizen; ~~changed name.~~		* 20 July 1943 — Naturalized as a U.S. citizen in District Court, Washington, D.C. (Camp Ritchie soldiers’ ceremony; reported in ''The Washington Post'', 21 July 1943)
	* 1 December 1943 — Promoted to T/3 (later S/Sgt).		* 1 December 1943 — Promoted to T/3 (later S/Sgt).
			* Born 22 February 1922 in Lublin, Poland as Salomon Lejb Potyszman (Hebrew).
	* Assigned to MII 416-Fr, First Army HQ.		* Assigned to MII 416-Fr, First Army HQ.
	* Joined OSS ?.		* Joined OSS ?.

	</div>		</div>
	</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>		</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
			* [[:File:Washington_Post_85_Soldiers_Naturalized_21_Jul_1943.pdf\|Same clipping (PDF)]]
			* [[The Stories/Camp Ritchie naturalization (July 1943)]]
			* [[:File:Washington_Post_85_Soldiers_Naturalized_21_Jul_1943.jpg\|“85 Soldiers Naturalized In Court Here,” ''The Washington Post'', 21 July 1943, p. B6]] (ceremony '''20 July 1943'''; almost all from Camp Ritchie)
	* Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data		* Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
	* Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records		* Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records

Admin: Sort Timeline chronologically; drop clear junk bullets

2026-09-15T03:43:59Z

Sort Timeline chronologically; drop clear junk bullets

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:43, 15 September 2026
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	<div class="soldier-timeline-body">		<div class="soldier-timeline-body">
	* Born 22 February 1922 in Lublin, Poland as Salomon Lejb Potyszman (Hebrew).		* Born 22 February 1922 in Lublin, Poland as Salomon Lejb Potyszman (Hebrew).
	* 1 December 1943 — Promoted to T/3 (later S/Sgt).
	* 12 June 1943 — Graduated Class 7 (MII French).		* 12 June 1943 — Graduated Class 7 (MII French).
	* 20 July 1943 — Became naturalized citizen; changed name.		* 20 July 1943 — Became naturalized citizen; changed name.
			* 1 December 1943 — Promoted to T/3 (later S/Sgt).
	* Assigned to MII 416-Fr, First Army HQ.		* Assigned to MII 416-Fr, First Army HQ.
	* Joined OSS ?.		* Joined OSS ?.

	</div>		</div>
	</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>		</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>

Admin: Remove research notes now confirmed on the profile

2026-09-15T03:35:03Z

Remove research notes now confirmed on the profile

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:35, 15 September 2026
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	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==
	* Camp Sharpe 11-11-43		* Camp Sharpe 11-11-43
	* 2/22/1922-A

	== Gallery ==		== Gallery ==

Admin: Remove research notes now confirmed on the profile

2026-09-10T04:33:21Z

Remove research notes now confirmed on the profile

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:33, 10 September 2026
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	\|birth_year=1922		\|birth_year=1922
	\|rank_final=Sgt		\|rank_final=Sgt
			\|teams=MII 416
	}}		}}

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	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==
	* Camp Sharpe 11-11-43		* Camp Sharpe 11-11-43
	* MII 416
	* 2/22/1922-A		* 2/22/1922-A

Admin: Repair birth/death place fields contaminated with dates

2026-09-02T15:58:45Z

Repair birth/death place fields contaminated with dates

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 2 September 2026
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	\|birth_date=22 February 1922		\|birth_date=22 February 1922
	\|death_date=19 August 2021		\|death_date=19 August 2021
	~~\|birth_place=Poland on February 22, 1922, grew up in France~~
	\|birth_year=1922		\|birth_year=1922
	\|rank_final=Sgt		\|rank_final=Sgt

Admin: Apply shared profile publish standards

2026-09-02T15:40:55Z

Apply shared profile publish standards

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:40, 2 September 2026
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	\|birth_date=22 February 1922		\|birth_date=22 February 1922
	\|death_date=19 August 2021		\|death_date=19 August 2021
	\|birth_place=Poland		\|birth_place=Poland on February 22, 1922, grew up in France
	\|birth_year=1922		\|birth_year=1922
	\|rank_final=Sgt		\|rank_final=Sgt
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	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	From 1941 to 1942, Poteshman student at Illinois Institute of Technology (18 months). Leon worked as shipping clerk. Leon Poteshman wrote this Summer that he is 94 and residing in Highland Park, IL~~. Leon was in the 7th Class at Camp Ritchie and served on French Team 416~~. One important piece of news is that Leon Poteshman of Highland Park, IL, is home recovering from a recent hospitalization~~. Poteshman trained in military intelligence at Camp Ritchie and served as a French interpreter during the War interrogating collaborators with the Germans~~. Poteshman is also survived by his wife Esther, to whom he was married 69 years. ~~He served from 1943-45 in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland, and was stationed in Paris at the Headquarters of the 1st Army as an Interrogator.~~ He helped establish new mayors in cities along the way to Paris while arresting those who had worked with the Germans~~. He was born in Poland on February 22, 1922, grew up in France, and came to the United States while a teenager~~. He was stationed in France during his service in WWII due to his French fluency~~. He was born on February 22, 1922, and emigrated to the United States at age 16~~. He also served with the OSS. In his later life, he left a remarkable legacy with two children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was the owner of Western Tool Company, where he worked until age 85.		He was born in Poland on February 22, 1922, grew up in France, and came to the United States while a teenager. He was born on February 22, 1922, and emigrated to the United States at age 16.

			Leon was in the 7th Class at Camp Ritchie and served on French Team 416. Poteshman trained in military intelligence at Camp Ritchie and served as a French interpreter during the War interrogating collaborators with the Germans.

			From 1941 to 1942, Poteshman student at Illinois Institute of Technology (18 months). He served from 1943-45 in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland, and was stationed in Paris at the Headquarters of the 1st Army as an Interrogator. Leon worked as shipping clerk.

			Leon Poteshman wrote this Summer that he is 94 and residing in Highland Park, IL. One important piece of news is that Leon Poteshman of Highland Park, IL, is home recovering from a recent hospitalization. Poteshman is also survived by his wife Esther, to whom he was married 69 years.

			He helped establish new mayors in cities along the way to Paris while arresting those who had worked with the Germans. He was stationed in France during his service in WWII due to his French fluency. He also served with the OSS.

			In his later life, he left a remarkable legacy with two children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was the owner of Western Tool Company, where he worked until age 85.

	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==

Admin: Add audited Dan Gross timeline enrichment

2026-09-01T12:50:26Z

Add audited Dan Gross timeline enrichment

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:50, 1 September 2026
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	\|birth_place=Poland		\|birth_place=Poland
	\|birth_year=1922		\|birth_year=1922
			\|rank_final=Sgt
	}}		}}

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	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	Leon Poteshman wrote this Summer that he is 94 and residing in Highland Park, IL. Leon was in the 7th Class at Camp Ritchie and served on French Team 416. One important piece of news is that Leon Poteshman of Highland Park, IL, is home recovering from a recent hospitalization~~. Tribute to Leon Poteshman~~. Poteshman trained in military intelligence at Camp Ritchie and served as a French interpreter during the War interrogating collaborators with the Germans. Poteshman is also survived by his wife Esther, to whom he was married 69 years~~. Gary Poteshman has shared an oral interview of his late Father, Leon Poteshman, who passed away August 19, 2021~~. He served from 1943-45 in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland, and was stationed in Paris at the Headquarters of the 1st Army as an Interrogator. He helped establish new mayors in cities along the way to Paris while arresting those who had worked with the Germans. He was born in Poland on February 22, 1922, grew up in France, and came to the United States while a teenager. He was stationed in France during his service in WWII due to his French fluency. He was born on February 22, 1922, and emigrated to the United States at age 16. He also served with the OSS. In his later life, he left a remarkable legacy with two children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was the owner of Western Tool Company, where he worked until age 85.		From 1941 to 1942, Poteshman student at Illinois Institute of Technology (18 months). Leon worked as shipping clerk. Leon Poteshman wrote this Summer that he is 94 and residing in Highland Park, IL. Leon was in the 7th Class at Camp Ritchie and served on French Team 416. One important piece of news is that Leon Poteshman of Highland Park, IL, is home recovering from a recent hospitalization. Poteshman trained in military intelligence at Camp Ritchie and served as a French interpreter during the War interrogating collaborators with the Germans. Poteshman is also survived by his wife Esther, to whom he was married 69 years. He served from 1943-45 in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland, and was stationed in Paris at the Headquarters of the 1st Army as an Interrogator. He helped establish new mayors in cities along the way to Paris while arresting those who had worked with the Germans. He was born in Poland on February 22, 1922, grew up in France, and came to the United States while a teenager. He was stationed in France during his service in WWII due to his French fluency. He was born on February 22, 1922, and emigrated to the United States at age 16. He also served with the OSS. In his later life, he left a remarkable legacy with two children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was the owner of Western Tool Company, where he worked until age 85.

	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==
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	\| row_source \|\| both		\| row_source \|\| both
	\|}		\|}

			== Timeline ==
			<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline">
			<div class="soldier-timeline-body">
			* Born 22 February 1922 in Lublin, Poland as Salomon Lejb Potyszman (Hebrew).
			* 1 December 1943 — Promoted to T/3 (later S/Sgt).
			* 12 June 1943 — Graduated Class 7 (MII French).
			* 20 July 1943 — Became naturalized citizen; changed name.
			* Assigned to MII 416-Fr, First Army HQ.
			* Joined OSS ?.
			</div>
			</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
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	* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-08-31 (1 post)		* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-08-31 (1 post)
	* Facebook-linked source: [https://stream-media.loc.gov/vhp/audio/afc2001001_015612_sr0001001.mp3 stream-media.loc.gov]		* Facebook-linked source: [https://stream-media.loc.gov/vhp/audio/afc2001001_015612_sr0001001.mp3 stream-media.loc.gov]
			* Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Leon Poteshman for Camp Ritchie'' (private research document; 1 source documents reviewed)
			* Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Poteshman, Leon for Camp Ritchie'' (private research files; selected non-private narrative findings; 1 source files: LEON POTESHMAN.doc)

Admin: Clarify museum roster and Dan Gross research sources

2026-08-31T04:15:11Z

Clarify museum roster and Dan Gross research sources

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:15, 31 August 2026
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	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
	* Camp Ritchie ~~class roster~~ (~~classes~~ 1–31), ~~merged~~ research ~~file~~		* Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
			* Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records
	* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)		* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
	* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)		* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)

Admin: Correct malformed birth place field

2026-08-28T04:09:40Z

Correct malformed birth place field

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:09, 28 August 2026
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	\|birth_date=22 February 1922		\|birth_date=22 February 1922
	\|death_date=19 August 2021		\|death_date=19 August 2021
	\|birth_place=Poland ~~on February 22, 1922, grew up in France~~		\|birth_place=Poland
	\|birth_year=1922		\|birth_year=1922
	}}		}}

Admin: Scrub Ritchie Boy/RB openers and Facebook meta from biography

2026-08-27T02:08:40Z

Scrub Ritchie Boy/RB openers and Facebook meta from biography

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:08, 27 August 2026
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	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	~~Ritchie Boy~~ Leon Poteshman wrote this Summer that he is 94 and residing in Highland Park, IL. Leon was in the 7th Class at Camp Ritchie and served on French Team 416. One important piece of news is that ~~Ritchie Boy~~ Leon Poteshman of Highland Park, IL, is home recovering from a recent hospitalization.		Leon Poteshman wrote this Summer that he is 94 and residing in Highland Park, IL. Leon was in the 7th Class at Camp Ritchie and served on French Team 416. One important piece of news is that Leon Poteshman of Highland Park, IL, is home recovering from a recent hospitalization. Tribute to Leon Poteshman. Poteshman trained in military intelligence at Camp Ritchie and served as a French interpreter during the War interrogating collaborators with the Germans. Poteshman is also survived by his wife Esther, to whom he was married 69 years. Gary Poteshman has shared an oral interview of his late Father, Leon Poteshman, who passed away August 19, 2021. He served from 1943-45 in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland, and was stationed in Paris at the Headquarters of the 1st Army as an Interrogator. He helped establish new mayors in cities along the way to Paris while arresting those who had worked with the Germans. He was born in Poland on February 22, 1922, grew up in France, and came to the United States while a teenager. He was stationed in France during his service in WWII due to his French fluency. He was born on February 22, 1922, and emigrated to the United States at age 16. He also served with the OSS. In his later life, he left a remarkable legacy with two children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was the owner of Western Tool Company, where he worked until age 85.

	Tribute to ~~Ritchie Boy~~ Leon Poteshman. ~~Ritchie Boy~~ Poteshman trained in military intelligence at Camp Ritchie and served as a French interpreter during the War interrogating collaborators with the Germans. RB Poteshman is also survived by his wife Esther, to whom he was married 69 years.

	Gary Poteshman has shared an oral interview of his late Father, ~~Ritchie Boy~~ Leon Poteshman, who passed away August 19, 2021. He served from 1943-45 in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland, and was stationed in Paris at the Headquarters of the 1st Army as an Interrogator. He helped establish new mayors in cities along the way to Paris while arresting those who had worked with the Germans.

	He was born in Poland on February 22, 1922, grew up in France, and came to the United States while a teenager. He was stationed in France during his service in WWII due to his French fluency. He was born on February 22, 1922, and emigrated to the United States at age 16.

	He also served with the OSS. In his later life, he left a remarkable legacy with two children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was the owner of Western Tool Company, where he worked until age 85.

	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==