Leigh Robert Sprowls (LtC retired) passed away on Sunday, Oct 2, 2016. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife and father to his three sons. Born in Sioux City, Iowa Nov 14, 1936. He is survived by his beloved wife Jean, sons Steven (Julie), Phillip (Brenda), Douglas (Carla) and grandsons Nickolas, Cameron, Steven L, Troy, Jeremy, Spencer and Leigh P. Sprowls. He was preceeded in death by parents Carl W. and Minnie M. Sprowls.
He received a BS from the University of Iowa, MBA from St. Mary’s College in Md. He also graduated from the Infantry School Courses, the Command and General Staff College and joined the faculty there. Other schools/courses include Aerial Surveillance, Aerial Gunnery School, Instrument Flight Examiner School, Artic Survival Training School. Leigh was a Senior Army Aviator and a Helicopter Pilot and flew the Mohawk OV-1, with SLAR and weapons . His overseas tours were in Vietnam, Germany, Korea.
Other Mohawk units and assignment included 2nd Infantry Division, Ft Benning, GA, 1st Division Avn Co, Ft Riley KS, USARAL Avn Bn, Ancorage, Alaska, 2/23rd Co, 145 Combat Avn Bn, 334th Helicopter Gun Co, Vietam, 122nd Avn Co, Germany, 55th Avn Co, Korea, Directing Staff , Canadian Forces Staff College, Canada, Deputy Commander, Ft Ritchie Md.
He was awarded many metals to include the Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Metal with “V” Device and 9th Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal 1st Oak Leaf Cluster; Commendation Metal.
He retired from the military in 1980 and became the Airport Manager at Hagerstown Regional Airport, Md for 10 years. He retired again and started his own Airport Consulting Services. After retiring for the third time moved out west to Angel Fire, NM and became quite involved with the several Golf Associations there. The family moved to the Melbourne , Fl area in 2010