Leslie H. Coats was inducted into the United States Army on August 24, 1943. He entered active service on September 14, 1943 at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. His decorations and citations include the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the American Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Leslie was discharged on February 17, 1946 at Fort McPherson, Georgia as a sergeant.