Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Airman Basic

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 221 (May 6, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Airman Basic Leo G. O’Shea (AFSN: AF-17288046), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Gunner of a B-26 Invader Attack Bomber of the FIFTH Air Force, in operations during a night raid over North Korea, in 1953. After one bombing pass, Airman O’Shea looked into the bomb bay and found a fragmentation bomb had hung up. Wind rushing through the open bomb bay doors had spun the arming vane on the fuse, arming the bomb for detonation. Airman O’Shea called the pilot and asked him to close the bomb bay doors, and then made his way from his gunner’s post into the bombbay. Despite the possibility his weight might force open the doors, he stood on the bomb bay doors until he could free the bomb. He then cautiously carried it back to the compartment, while all the time, the arming vane was spinning. From his gunner’s position he called the pilot by the intercommunication radio system and asked him to reopen the bomb bay doors. When they were open, he carefully headed for the open bomb bay and, bracing himself, three the live bomb clear of the plane. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Airman Basic O’Shea, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.