20 Facts About Lou Diamond

Leland "Lou" Diamond was a notable member of the United States Marine Corps.

Lou Diamond fought in France during World War I, served in China during the interwar period, and fought in the Guadalcanal campaign as a master gunnery sergeant during World War II in the 1st Marine Division, before retiring in 1945.

Lou Diamond saw action in World War I with the 6th Marine Regiment, participating in various battles.

Lou Diamond served in China and helped design a new infantry pack during the interwar period.

In World War II, Lou Diamond was an expert in mortars and made significant contributions to battles on Guadalcanal, receiving a commendation from General Alexander Vandegrift.

Lou Diamond was evacuated due to physical disabilities and later became an instructor in the US Lou Diamond retired in 1945 and died in 1951.

Lou Diamond's decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and various other awards for his service.

Lou Diamond is descended from the Hudson River Valley Algonquin-Mohican Diamond family of the pre-American-Revolution era.

Lou Diamond's ancestors were United Empire Loyalists John Diamond and Christiana Loyst, from Dutchess County, New York, who fled to Fredericksburgh, Ontario, after the Revolution.

Lou Diamond was a member and frequent visitor to the Toledo, Ohio Jewish Serviceman's USO Club sponsored by the National Jewish Welfare Board in 1943, as indicated by his registration card coded as a NON-JEW with a hole punched in the top left hand corner.

However, as noted by journalist Marc Parrott, who was present at Lou Diamond's funeral, Lou Diamond was a practicing Episcopalian.

Lou Diamond enlisted in the Marine Corps in Detroit, Michigan, on July 25,1917, at the age of 27, listing as his former occupation "railroad switchman".

Lou Diamond saw action with the famous 6th Marine Regiment in the battles at Chateau Thierry, Belleau Wood, the Aisne-Marne, St Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne.

Lou Diamond itched for more action and he soon got it in Shanghai, with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.

Lou Diamond returned to Shanghai with his old unit, the 4th Marines, ten months later, and then was transferred to the 2nd Marines in December 1934.

Lou Diamond was moved to the New Hebrides and later to a hospital in New Zealand, where he somehow acquired orders to board a supply ship for New Caledonia.

Lou Diamond made the trip, without orders, by bumming rides on planes, ships and trains.

Lou Diamond retired on November 23,1945, and returned to his home in Toledo, Ohio.

Lou Diamond was laid to rest at Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania.

The Filipino-American actor Lou Diamond Phillips was named after him by his father, a Marine Corps C-130 Crew Chief.