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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Lloyd Richardson Leavitt, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 24 July 1957. On that date, Captain Leavitt’s aircraft experienced an in-flight explosion followed by severe vibration and engine flameout. Captain Leavitt, through the knowledge of his aircraft, quick thinking and skill in handling it under adverse conditions, was able to land safely, thereby preventing possible injury to himself and averting the loss of a valuable aircraft to the United States Air Force. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Captain Leavitt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    July 20, 1972 – June 30, 1974
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-485 (June 28, 1974)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Lloyd Richardson Leavitt, Jr., United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Director of Operations (regional operations) in the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 20 July 1972 to 30 June 1974. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Leavitt and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    July 27, 1974 – June 26, 1976
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-462 (June 24, 1976)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Lloyd Richardson Leavitt, Jr., United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Leavitt distinguished himself as Commander, Chanute Technical Training Center, Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, from 27 July 1974 to 26 June 1976. During this period, General Leavitt’s outstanding achievements and his dynamic leadership and initiative resulted in unparalleled improvements in a vast number of programs. These accomplishments established a reputation for Chanute Technical Training Center as being a pacesetter throughout Air Training Command. Particularly notable was the management prowess in formulating the superb reorganization scheme for the Chanute Technical Training Center, the more effective use of supervisors and the resulting accomplishment of reducing student costs. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Leavitt reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    October 29, 1970 – April 4, 1971

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Lloyd Richardson Leavitt, Jr., United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States as Vice Commander, 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, from 29 October 1970 to 25 November 1970 and as Commander, from 27 November 1970 to 4 April 1971. In these important assignments the unexcelled leadership, keen perception, and ceaseless effort consistently demonstrated by Colonel Leavitt resulted in significant and far-reaching contributions to the effectiveness and success of the United States Air Force in the conduct of its mission in Southeast Asia. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Leavitt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    November 1, 1962 – July 1, 1966
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-253 (1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Richardson Leavitt, Jr., United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Planning and Programming Officer, Strategic Division, Directorate of Studies and Analysis, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters, United States Air Force, from 1 November 1962 to 1 July 1966. During this period, the exemplary ability, foresight, enterprise, and diligence of Colonel Leavitt were instrumental factors in the resolution of many complex problems of major importance to the Air Force. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Leavitt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    April 26, 1971 – July 19, 1972

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Lloyd Richardson Leavitt, Jr., United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States as Assistant and Deputy Director for Operational Forces, Directorate of Operations, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, from 26 April 1971 to 19 July 1972. In these important assignments, the forceful leadership, and the outstanding and dedicated efforts of General Leavitt resulted in significant contributions to the combat capability of the United States Air Force and to the furtherance of national and free world objectives. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Leavitt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    January 1978 – August 1981

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Lloyd Richardson Leavitt, Jr., United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Vice Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command, from January 1978 to August 1981. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Leavitt reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    November 21, 1970
    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2199 (July 14, 1971)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Lloyd Richardson Leavitt, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over hostile territory on 21 November 1970. On that date, Colonel Leavitt led a flight of four F-4D Tactical Fighters on a mission against heavily defended hostile anti-aircraft and surface-to-air missile sites. Colonel Leavitt’s outstanding leadership and initiative were directly responsible for the success of this hazardous mission which resulted in the complete destruction of several hostile defensive complexes. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Leavitt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    July 23, 1952

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Lloyd Richardson Leavitt, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary skill, leadership and courage while participating in aerial flight on 23 July 1952 near Oman-ni, Korea, Lieutenant Leavitt was the leader of a Squadron of F-84 type aircraft assigned the dangerous mission of destroying enemy anti-aircraft positions. After locating the target, Lieutenant Leavitt circled the target several times at dangerously low altitude to draw enemy fire and enable his squadron to pin-point the enemy gun positions. Despite intense and accurate enemy flak, Lieutenant Leavitt then led a coordinated bombing attack on these positions producing a large secondary explosion after his own bombing run. He then continued the attack with low level strafing passes until his ammunition was expended. Lieutenant Leavitt during this mission exemplified the courageous leadership and skill required for successful tactical operations and has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.