South Dakota Governor. Jensen served as a Second Lieutenant in the South Dakota National Guard's 4th Infantry Regiment during the 1916 Mexican border expedition, and was as a Captain in the 147th Artillery Regiment in France during World War I. He received a law degree from the University of South Dakota in 1921, and in 1922 became South Dakota's federal Collector of Internal Revenue, a position he held until 1934. Jensen then became President of People's Telephone and Telegraph, a company started by his father. In 1936 he was the successful Republican nominee for Governor and defeated incumbent Thomas Berry, one of the few bright spots for Republicans during a nationwide Democratic landslide. He served one term, 1937 to 1939, and devoted his efforts to relief of the Great Depression's effects on South Dakota, including reducing the state's debt and refinancing bonds that were issued to provide credit to farmers. He was an unsuccessful US Senate candidate in 1938. Jensen was called to active military duty for World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater with the rank of Colonel as commander of the 147th Artillery Regiment, and then as a member of the Sixth US Army commander's staff. He returned to Hot Springs after the war, remaining active until his death in an automobile accident. The Leslie Jensen Scenic Highway, part of US Route 18, was named in his honor, and in 1987 his home was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
South Dakota Governor. Jensen served as a Second Lieutenant in the South Dakota National Guard's 4th Infantry Regiment during the 1916 Mexican border expedition, and was as a Captain in the 147th Artillery Regiment in France during World War I. He received a law degree from the University of South Dakota in 1921, and in 1922 became South Dakota's federal Collector of Internal Revenue, a position he held until 1934. Jensen then became President of People's Telephone and Telegraph, a company started by his father. In 1936 he was the successful Republican nominee for Governor and defeated incumbent Thomas Berry, one of the few bright spots for Republicans during a nationwide Democratic landslide. He served one term, 1937 to 1939, and devoted his efforts to relief of the Great Depression's effects on South Dakota, including reducing the state's debt and refinancing bonds that were issued to provide credit to farmers. He was an unsuccessful US Senate candidate in 1938. Jensen was called to active military duty for World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater with the rank of Colonel as commander of the 147th Artillery Regiment, and then as a member of the Sixth US Army commander's staff. He returned to Hot Springs after the war, remaining active until his death in an automobile accident. The Leslie Jensen Scenic Highway, part of US Route 18, was named in his honor, and in 1987 his home was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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