Gaffney native honored with retirement ceremony

SGM Steven A. Leach Sergeant Major Steven A. Leach, a Gaffney native, was recently honored during a special ceremony after serving 26 years in the U.S. Army.

Leach entered the Army in June 1982 after graduating from Gaffney High School. He received basic and advanced individual training at Fort Dix, N.J. His assignments included D 1/55 ADA, Ft. Bliss, Texas; 6/37 FA, Camp Essayon, Korea; 426th Signal Battalion, Ft. Bragg, N.C.; HHSB 2/9 FA, Schwabisch Gmund, Germany; HHC 187th Ord BN, Fort Jackson; B Co 1/61 INF Battalion, Fort Jackson; 12th Chemical Company Kitzingen, Germany; HHC 11D, Wurzburg, Germany; 519th MI Battalion, Ft. Bragg; 525 MI BDE, Ft. Bragg; E Company 702, Camp Casey, Korea; D Co 15th FSB Fort Hood, Texas; and HHC 1CD, Fort Hood.

Leach has held all leadership positions - squad leader, platoon sergeant, senior drill sergeant, instructor, first sergeant, division maintenance and Readiness sergeant major, and WVMS Sergeant Major.

His military education includes the Motor Sergeant Course, Drill Sergeant School, Battle Staff Course and First Sergeant Course. He is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy (Class of '56).

Leach's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4th OLC, Good Conduct Medal (Good Conduct Medal 7th Award), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze star device, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon (4), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon (5), Sergeant Drill Badge, Mechanics Badge and Combat Action Badge. He is a member of the Honorable Order of the Samuel Sharp and a member of the Order of the Spur from the 1CD.

Leach, a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church, and his wife, the former Sharon Jefferies of Gaffney, have three children - PFC Steven Leach Jr. who is currently serving in Iraq with the 4th BDE 10th MTN Division; Timothy, an avid musician who attends Spartanburg Community College; and Kierra, who is a rising junior at Gaffney High School.

SGM Leach's future plans include teaching ROTC in a Charlotte school system.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Choice Leach of Gaffney.