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(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Leo Bob McCuddin (NSN: 0-116827), United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Task Unit 77.4.1 and as Commanding Officer, U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61), from 10 January 1966 to 7 June 1966, for the planning and execution of aerial armed reconnaissance and interdiction air strikes in North Vietnam.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Action Date:

    August 5 – October 19, 1950
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 49 (January 13, 1951)

    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 Leo Bob McCuddin (NSN: 0-116827), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Korean Theater during the period 5 August to 19 October 1950. As a pilot of a Corsair Fighter Plane, he participated in thirty-five strike missions over enemy territory.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1944
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0456 (April 26, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Leo Bob McCuddin (NSN: 0-116827), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane of Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), on a strike against a Japanese Task Force on 25 October 1944 in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, he attacked with rockets and assisted in the probable destruction of an enemy destroyer. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1944
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0456 (April 26, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Leo Bob McCuddin (NSN: 0-116827), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane of Fighting Squadron TWENTY (VF-20) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. Shifting his point of aim from an enemy battleship during a dive, Lieutenant McCuddin continued his attack and, despite a heavy concentration of anti-aircraft fire, scored a direct bomb hit, seriously damaging the battleship. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1944
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 00116 (December 23, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Leo Bob McCuddin (NSN: 0-116827), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter aircraft on a sweep in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944. When the division of which he was a member attacked a superior number of enemy fighters, he maneuvered his airplane so skillfully that he personally shot down two. His coolness and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.