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When Leon Bailey won first place for his wrestling division weighing 136 ½ pounds at the Quonset Point Navy Base in Rhode Island in 1964, he became the first African American to win a Navy wrestling championship in New England. Leon had been preparing to box and wrestle all his life in the recreation centers and gyms of East Baltimore. When he found out that he could execute those skills for the Navy, he signed up for active duty during the Vietnam era and continued honing his craft. Wrestling for the Navy became his dream. It took three years for Leon’s dream to materialize, but he never gave up hope that it would.

Leon has been recognized for his accomplishments across many areas of his life including: the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Outstanding American From the State of Maryland, October 2017; the Carver Vocational Technical High School Class of 1962 Distinguished Service Award, May 2000; Carver Alumni Award, 2005-2006; Roots of Scouting, Inc., February 22, 2014, in Recognition of Outstanding Character, Achievements, and Demonstrated Leadership in Service to Scouting in the African American Community; Navy Wrestling, 64-65, 65-66, and Navy Boxing 65; and Guest Speaker Award, 2017, Baltimore City JROTC Military Ball.

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