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Leon Poteshman
| Leon Poteshman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Potyszman |
| Born | 22 February 1922 |
| Died | 19 August 2021 |
| Nativity | Poland |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| ASN | 36629611 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Rank at Ritchie | Private |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 7 (15 April – 12 June 1943) |
| Section | 12 |
| Team | MII 416-G |
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
Leon Poteshman (22 February 1922 – 19 August 2021) was a Ritchie Boy (born Potyszman; from Poland; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 7.
Biography
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
- Camp Sharpe 11-11-43
- 2/22/1922-A
Gallery
-
On the left, Ritchie Boy Leon Poteshman is sitting on the lower stoop -
On the left, Ritchie Boy Leon Poteshman is sitting on the lower stoop
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Class_ASN | 36629611 |
| Class_Name | POTESHMAN, Leon |
| match_method | asn_exact_name_exact |
| row_source | both |
Timeline
- 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 ?.
Sources
- 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)
- 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2016-10-11 (1 post)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2020-05-06 (1 post)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-08-19 (1 post)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-08-31 (1 post)
- Facebook-linked source: 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)