Leo E. Arbelius
Biography: Leo Evald Arbelius “Slug” was born on October 3, 1924, in Palmer, Michigan. He was the son of Wilhelm (William) Arbelius and Anna M Hendrickson and attended Palmer High School through the 10th grade. He left school to start working, and in addition to farming, he worked as a mechanic’s assistant at an automotive garage.
Service Time: Leo entered the service on March 19, 1943, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He was sent for basic training and then received specialized training, earning a Driver and Mechanic Badge. He would serve as a replacement and was sent overseas on November 18th, where he was assigned to Company A of the 701st Tank Destroyer Battalion, probably joining them in Italy.
The 701st had shipped out from the New York port on May 31, 1942, and arrived at Belfast, Northern Ireland, on June 11th. Companies B and C, along with one platoon of Recon Company, participated in the Operation Torch landings on November 8th, near Oran, Algeria. Advancing toward Tunisia, beginning November 16th, the battalion reached North Africa on December 10th. While in Tunisia, they were usually attached to the 1st Armored or 1st Infantry Divisions and participated in actions at El Guettar, Faid Pass, Sidi Bou Zid, Sbeitla, Hill 609, and Mateur.
The 701st shipped to Italy in October, 1943, and entered the line in the Pagnataro area. Their TD’s operated largely as artillery and for much of early 1944, the battalion was attached to II or VI Corps in the Cassino sector. They were then shipped to the Anzio beachhead in February, 1944, and supported the 1st Armored Division during their breakout in late May, entering Rome on June 4th. The unit pushed north to the Arno River and crossed on September 1st, and then reached the Florence area.
In addition to Leo, other members of his crew included McGuire, Holmes, Dybeck and Ashmore.
They spent the winter training and firing artillery missions and supported the 10th Mountain Division’s drive into the Po River valley in April, 1945. Leo received credit for three of the units campaigns including Rome-Arno, North Appennines and the Po Valley. Leo was awarded the EAME Ribbon, Victory and Good Conduct Medal’s and the Distinguished Unit Badge and shipped home on November 29th, arriving back in the U.S. on December 4th. He was discharged at the Fort Sheridan Separation center, in Illinois, at the rank of Technician 5th Grade.
After returning home to Palmer, he would briefly work as a miner. He later found work as an auto mechanic and eventually owned his own handy grocery and service station. He was also a fireman and a lifetime member of the Palmer Fire Department. On October 11, 1947, Leo married the former Alice Peterson who was born in Negaunee, Michigan, and was the daughter of Edwin J Peterson and Lillian M Mattson. The new couple remained in Palmer and had five children, Judith Ann, born in 1948, Kathy Lynn in 1952, Sandra Lee in 1955, Scott Evald in 1960, and Dawn “Beku” Marie in 1965.
In his spare time, Leo enjoyed farming, camping, gardening, snowmobiling and building projects. His interest in vehicles extended to both tractors and dump trucks. His social interests moved him to found the Richmond Township Community Club and Richmond Township Snowmobile Club. He also served as treasurer of the Richmond Township Building Committee and a member of the local VFW. Leo passed away on September 21, 1990, and was laid to rest in the Bakkala Cemetary in Gwinn, Michigan. I want to thank Leo’s family for providing the information and photos used in this tribute.
