PFC. Leonard Catinella was borne on February 20, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois. In September 1954, Leonard joined the service, and was sent to the 5th Armored Division in Camp Chaffee, Akansas to perform duties in “D” Company, 80th Heavy Tank Battalion. Later, he joined the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina to work as a radar operator in the 456th Airborne Field Artillery. In 1955, Leonard was transferred to the 11th Airborne Headquarters Battery, 457th Airborne Field Artillery Battalion.

On September 7, 1955, Leonard married his wife Carole. The same year, he received orders to Germany, but he didn’t have enough time left to complete an overseas assignment. Then, he was transferred to Headquarters and Services in the 101st Airborne Division where he became orderly for the officers quarters.

On August 28, 1956, Leonard’s and Carole’s son, Michael Stephen, was born. A month later, on September, Leonard Catinella was discharged from the service. The same year, he went to work for Amerline Corp. as a plastic mold designer where he designed molds for coil forms., IBM reels and plumbing parts. In 1961, he went to work for Sunbean Corp. as a plastic mold design engineer. He also purchased tooling for plastic parts, shavers, toasters, and other small appliances.

In 1969, Leonard went into business as M&L Design, Inc. He provided service to Polaroid, Ford Motors, Kodak, Aqua Tech, General Electric and many other companies. In 1997, he retired to Sebastian, Florida.


Currently, Leonard Catinella is actively involved in community service. He is the chaplain of the Space Coast Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, and a volunteer of the Senior Center in Sebastian. He also volunteers his excellent cooking skills at the Lord’s Table, an organization in Fellsmere that offers free meal for needy families and individuals. Leonard’s community work is an example of dedication and compassion which are characteristics of the best paratroopers in the Airborne Community.