Richard E. Leonard

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Warrant Officer, Richard E. Leonard, United States Army for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Leonard distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 5 January 1970, while serving as aircraft commander in the Republic of Vietnam.  Although the ground unit was in heavy contact, Warrant Officer Leonard decided to attempt the extraction of several severely wounded patients, but his craft took a direct hit which knocked out the engine. Skillfully making an emergency landing and exiting the craft, he noticed that there was a fire which threatened the ground unit and he reentered the burning aircraft to extinguish the fire. When another medical evacuation aircraft arrived, ignoring his wounds, he exposed himself to the hostile fire to wave it away, then organized a party to carry the patients to another site for pickup. For the next three hours, he led them through the jungles under cover of darkness until they reached an area where the final extraction could be made. His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.