Eric R. Leander was born of February 3, 1908 in Tofteryds, Sweden. He immigrated to the United States in 1927 and became a citizen in 1932. He lived in Chicago, Illinois and enlisted in the US Army in 1942. After his death is was temporarily interned until his bodied was returned to his hometown in Sweden in 1949. He was one of over 4,200 US soldiers born in Sweden who served in the US military from 1941-45.
Private Eric Leander, of the 47th Armored Infantry Battalion, 5th Armored “Victory” Division who was KIA on December 6, 1944 during the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest near Bergstein, Germany.

From the 5th Armored Division Association:
47th Armored Infantry Battalion After Action Report of December 6, 1944:

At 0630 A 6 December 1944, the enemy began shelling the town of Germeter. B Companies had reported much movement and activity in woods south and east of Bergstein during the night and a counterattack was expected at day break. At 0600 A the enemy counterattacked Bergstein from the woods to the south and east with approximately 500 Infantry (PW reports later stated 6 Companies) and 15 assault guns and tanks. The attack was being, made on the 47th sector and Company B, 47th Armd Inf Bn., was forced to withdraw giving up seven houses, where better positions were secured. By 0900 the counterattack was repulsed with extremely heavy losses to the enemy, an estimate of 200 killed, 60 captured and 6 SP guns and tanks knocked out. Our original positions were regained by Company B, 47th.
At 1120A 6 December 1944, the unit was alerted for a large formation of enemy aircraft. It turned out to be a false alarm. Enemy artillery in Bergstein and Brandenberg continued extremely intense and casualties in men and equipment were suffered. Help was requested to re-enforce our positions in the event of another counterattack. One platoon from Company C, 85th Rcn was attached to Company B, 47th and was sent forward to Bergstein to help reinforce our positions. The platoon finally got forward and was placed in position at approximately 1630 6 December 1944.
At 1630 6 December 1944 word was received that the 2nd Ranger Battalion was coming into Bergstein that evening to re-enforce our positions and also to seize the high hill east of Bergstein (Castle Hill).
Twenty five enlisted men who were returned to duty arrived at the rear CP. All men were sent forward to B 147 to help reinforce positions. Arrived in area at 2345 A 6 December 1944.
Rangers contacted out forward CP at 1000, 6 Dec and were given all available information on Bergstein. They moved into area night of 6-7 Dec and attacked and took Castle Hill on the morning of 7 December 1944.