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Leonard
Joseph
Check
DNB (1945)
March 4, 1911

–

January 4, 1945

Leonard Check became a World War II DOUBLE ACE credited with shooting down TWELVE enemy aircraft. He was lost in January 1945, after a mid-air collision with his wingman over Luzon, Philippine Islands. Leonard Check’s brother Gilbert earned the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star during the Korean War.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 7 (VF-7)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    November 19, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Leonard Joseph Check (NSN: 0-77727), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy in the Philippine Islands on 19 November 1944. As pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane and leader of a flight of fighters on a sweep and escort mission he shot down two enemy aircraft and damaged a third enemy aircraft. He then led his flight on two runs over an enemy airfield, knocking out anti-aircraft emplacements, destroying two aircraft on the ground and strafing and damaging at least eight additional grounded aircraft. His courage and skill were inspiring and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 7 (VF-7)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Leonard Joseph Check (NSN: 0-77727), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as the type leader of two divisions of carrier-based fighters on a strike against the Japanese Fleet in the Philippine Island Area on 25 October 1944. In the face of extremely intense medium and heavy anti-aircraft fire he led one division of fighters in on the disengaged side of heavy units of the enemy fleet in order to attract their fire and divert it from our dive bombers and torpedo-bombers that were making a simultaneous attack. He contributed courageous and inspiring leadership by his audacious attack and at all times his conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 7 (VF-7)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    October 26, 1944
    Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 0689 (March 30, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Leonard Joseph Check (NSN: 0-77727), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as leader of a carrier-based fighter escort formation of Fighting Squadron SEVEN (VF-7), embarked in U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against remnants of the Japanese Fleet in the Philippine Islands Area on 26 October 1944. By leading three determined strafing runs on an enemy cruiser and destroyer he caused a full concentration of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire to be directed at his fighters thus allowing our torpedo planes to make their torpedo runs, sinking the enemy cruiser, and to retire undamaged. By his repeated strafing the enemy destroyer was left without fire power. His courage and disregard for his own safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 7 (VF-7)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    October 29, 1944
    Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 0689 (March 30, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Leonard Joseph Check (NSN: 0-77727), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron SEVEN (VF-7), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands Area on 29 October 1944. Intercepting an enemy formation of seven bombers and eight fighters while leading his divisions on combat air patrol over an Allied Task Group, Lieutenant Commander Check, accompanied by his wingman, skillfully maneuvered his plane for a direct overhead run and, selecting one of the dive bombers as a target, poured a deadly stream of fire into the hostile craft, shooting it down in flames. Continuing alone in pursuit of the enemy bombers as his flight engaged the fighters, he spotted two additional bombers approaching the Task Group and, plunging to the attack, trailed one of the planes with blazing guns until it crashed into the sea. Pulling out of this successful run to find himself only 500 feet above the water and working desperately to clear his jammed guns as he proceeded up through a heavy cloud formation, he sighted another bomber threatening the friendly vessels and, immediately closing range and bringing his guns to bear, blasted the hostile craft out of the sky. Again working his guns and gaining altitude as he ordered his division to join-up, he observed still another bomber making a run on the Task Group and delivered a short blast of fire into the hostile bomber’s engine, causing the plane to nose over, burst into flames and hit the water. By his superb airmanship, daring combat tactics and indomitable fighting spirit, maintained throughout eight minutes of furious action, Lieutenant Commander Check prevented the enemy formation of fifteen planes from making a run on the Task Group and contributed materially to the success of our sustained drive against the Japanese in the Pacific War Theater. His valiant devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 7 (VF-7)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)

    Action Date:

    January 3, 1944 – January 4, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Leonard Joseph Check (NSN: 0-77727), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron SEVEN (VF-7) during the period 3 January 1944 to 4 January 1945. From the first moments of the commissioning of the squadron, his leadership inspired the men of his squadron to the feats which they accomplished. His professional skill in gunnery and his teachings succeeded in establishing outstanding records in training and in obtaining the victories in aerial combat which the squadron obtained. His previous experience as a dive-bomber and his initiative led him to test thoroughly the possibilities of the fighter-bomber as an offensive weapon, and his aggressive leadership led him to apply these lessons in combat. His moral character and constant enthusiasm were a source of encouragement to his pilots, and his leadership was always in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.