This community can well be proud of the response given by its young men in answer to the call of duty in wars dating back to the Revolutionary war. Although the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 were fought before this area was settled, some of their participants moved westward to become early settlers here. Among those names are Baker, Buckles, Chandler, Crumbaugh, Dickerson, Kimler, Merrifield, Rutledge, and VanDeventer. Since then our men have taken part in the Black Hawk War, the Mexican War, The Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. The last three wars also accepted female volunteers.

            Several men from Buckles grove were sent to the Black Hawk War (1832). Three companies of mounted volunteers were raised in McLean County. Exaggerated accounts of the number of whites killed during the Indian creek Massacre and of the size of Black Hawk’s forces struck the wildest terror in the hearts of the early settlers. The first company fought in the battle of Stillman’s Defeat in which one man from this county was killed. Neither the Second nor Third Companies ever met the noble red man in their campaigns.  During the scare many settlers, especially from the northern part of the county, started in wagons with ox teams and returned to their former homes.

            The War with Mexico (1846-1847) to annex Texas touched even the men of this area. Fifteen men are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery who participated in the Mexican War. The McLean County Company was Company B of the Fourth Illinois Infantry. It was heard from at the Battle of Cerro Gordo, when it had a share in the near-capture of General Santa Anna.

            The men of LeRoy fought on the Union side during the Civil War (1861-1865). LeRoy and surrounding country did its full share. Company G. 94^th Illinois Volunteers was the only company whose entire membership enlisted from this township and justly entitled to be called the LeRoy Company. There were two secret orders organized in this vicinity during the Civil War. One of the organizations was called the Knights of the Golden Circle, a treasonable organization brought into existence by certain persons who proposed to give aid and comfort to the Rebel cause by resisting the draft, should there be any, and by threatening the lives of Union citizens in general. The other organization was called the Union League, an organization thought necessary, provided the Golden Circle committed an overt act or put into execution the threats against Union citizens.

    The year was 1917 and the US was involved in WW I. Men from the LeRoy area answered the call to duty again. Hundreds of men signed up to fight the Kaiser of Germany. The community of LeRoy joined the nation in meatless and wheat less days, and rationing of food and coal.  LeRoy joined the nation in many activities such as close ups where businesses closed on Mondays and Tag Your shovel day to save coal for Uncle Sam.  The flu epidemic closed places of public gatherings.

    The end of war on November 11, 1918 was a riotous affair. The blowing of whistles and the ringing of church bells at about 5:a.m. brought the joyful message. A bonfire that cleaned the alleys of boxes and boards soon roared and the sparks of the fire expressed the feeling of thankfulness of the people. The Kaiser was hung, shot and burned in effigy to the delight of all.

    On December 7, 1941 the Japanese attacked the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Germany declared war against the United States turning the European conflict into a global war. Again this nation had been forced into a war. Again the great people of this country responded to the nation’s call. The first number drawn, 158, from the national Lottery for the draft picked a man out of the LeRoy ranks. Thus began the exodus of many young men and women from this community. A total of 412 from this area were involved in the war.

            News broadcasts at 6:02 P.M. on August 14, 1945 that the Japanese government had surrendered were received joyfully but calmly in LeRoy. The community had paid dearly for the victory. Sixteen of its young sons would never come back. At one time Leroy had seven men held as prisoners of war on the two battlefronts. The whole community shared in the joy when it was learned that they were alive and would be arriving home.

            It was not a declared war but the Leroy area got quite substantially involved in the Korean Conflict ( 1950). The LeRoy area contributed to the readiness to supply troops. Battery C was organized in LeRoy for the 144^th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion of the Illinois National Guard. The U.S. Army activated the 144^th and set February 14, 1952 as departure day.

            The Vietnam War started in 1957 when Communist forces with backing by Communist China attempted to take over the country. The United States never declared war but in 1965 began sending combat units to assist the freedom-loving Vietnamese. The U.S. involvement in the conflict continued until 1973 when a cease-fire was agreed upon. 

    The men and women of LeRoy can stand proud for their contributions and sacrifices to keep this country and the world free from oppression.