The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Armor) James Herbert Leach (ASN: 0-1012388/0-48718), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 2 June 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while conducting a visual reconnaissance in his command and control helicopter, Colonel Leach observed several enemy soldiers scurrying for cover. He immediately ordered his pilot to fly at treetop level in order to pinpoint the hostile positions and place suppressive fire on them. Even though the enemy quickly began directing small arms and automatic weapons fire toward the aircraft, Colonel Leach continued to engage the hostile element with his grenade launcher and direct the fire of the door gunners until two helicopter gunships reached the area an hour after the contact began. He then helped mark the hostile positions with smoke grenades and adjusted rocket and minigun fire on the enemy. Even after the gunships left to refuel, Colonel Leach remained on station in order to maintain contact with the enemy. Upon observing three hostile soldiers cowering in an open area, he directed the pilot to fly lower and, without firing a shot, kept the frightened enemy troops immobilized until friendly ground elements arrived. In spite of the continuing enemy fire, he remained at the scene of the engagement until all enemy resistance had ceased and four hostile soldiers had been killed and two captured. Colonel Leach’s outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Armor) James Herbert Leach (ASN: 0-1012388/0-48718), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 18 June 1969 while serving as the commanding officer of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while conducting an aerial reconnaissance operation, he observed that another helicopter carrying the commander of the regiment’s Air Cavalry Troop had been shot down by intense enemy automatic weapons fire. He flew toward the scene of the crash and began placing suppressive fire on the hostile positions, although his aircraft quickly came under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Upon reaching the downed helicopter, Colonel Leach, continuing to disregard the hostile fusillade, helped to load the wounded crew members on board his aircraft and then remained on the ground to organize an assault on the enemy positions. While continuing to place rifle fire on the hostile troops, he directed friendly armored vehicles in overrunning and routing the enemy force. Colonel Leach’s courage, leadership, devotion to duty and deep concern for the welfare of his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.