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 Commander David E. Leue, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VA-153), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43), on 10 September 1965. Commander Leue was assigned as strike leader of an air wing strike against Ben Thuy POL, North Vietnam, in an area of known high flak concentration. During the attack, the flight leader of the second division was hit by intense enemy flak and forced to eject over enemy territory. Immediately calling for search and rescue assistance, Commander Leue went back to the area of the downed pilot to provide air cover and to direct search and rescue operations. Exposing himself and his aircraft to the constantly increasing enemy fire, he remained on the scene and made several low-altitude runs strafing at enemy troops and emplacements in an effort to protect the downed pilot. Leaving the scene only occasionally to refuel his aircraft in flight and to lead other aircraft into the area, he remained in the immediate vicinity for three hours to direct search and rescue operations. Due to the increasing intensity of flak and the disappearance of the pilot shortly after he hit the ground, the rescue attempt was unsuccessful and the search was stopped after four hours. Commander Leue’s performance of duty in the face of the enemy was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander David E. Leue, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Flight Leader of jet attack aircraft in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VA-153), embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64), during combat operations against hostile North Vietnamese forces on 7 July 1966. Despite unfavorable weather conditions and ingenious enemy camouflage, Commander Leue personally hunted down and located four North Vietnamese PT boats concealed among the numerous islands off the coast of North Vietnam. While subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire, he pinpointed the boats and began a BULLPUP missile attack which scored a direct hit on one boat, putting it out of action and marking the area for the remaining strike aircraft. After his second successful BULLPUP attack, Commander Leue, in the face of continuous enemy fire, remained over the target as on-scene controller. He directed the over-all attacks of the strike group, departing only after assuring that a following wave of strike aircraft had positively encountered the boats. Through determined search efforts in the face of all hazards, he was directly responsible for the destruction of two enemy PT boats and severe damage of two others, without loss or damage to any of the attacking forces. Commander Leue’s ability, courage, tenacity and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.