The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Darel Dean Leetun, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a combat strike pilot, 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, over the panhandle area of Southern Laos on 1 February 1965. On that date, Captain Leetun willfully and unhesitatingly pressed the attack against known well emplaced communist insurgent automatic anti-aircraft gun emplacements. Through his heroic perseverance and outstanding professional airmanship while flying at dangerously low altitudes through intense enemy ground fire, he directed the delivery of explosive ordnance so effectively that the enemy gun emplacements were silenced. Captain Leetun’s outstanding heroism, leadership, courage and selfless devotion to duty under fire reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
13th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
September 17, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Darel Dean Leetun, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, 7th Air Force, in action against the Cao Nung Highway Bridge in North Vietnam on 17 September 1966. On that date, Captain Leetun led a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs against a heavily defended high priority target near Hanoi. Undaunted by intense and accurate flak, deadly surface-to-air missiles, and hostile MiGs, Captain Leetun led his flight through this fierce environment to the crucial target. On the bomb run, Captain Leetun’s Thunderchief was hit by hostile fire, becoming a flaming torch and nearly uncontrollable; however, Captain Leetun remained in formation and delivered his high-explosive ordnance directly on target. After bomb release, Captain Leetun’s plane went out of control and was seen to crash approximately 10 miles from the target area. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Leetun reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
13th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
July 6, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Darel Dean Leetun, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 6 July 1966. On that date, under intense hostile ground fire which downed the lead aircraft, Captain Leetun successfully prevented hostile surface-to-air missiles from being launched at an important striking force. Captain Leetun directed his own firepower at a surface-to-air missile site and barely escaped the deadly missiles fired at him during his attack. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Leetun reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
13th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
June 30, 1966
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 with Combat “V” to Captain Darel Dean Leetun, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a combat aircrew member in Southeast Asia on 30 June 1966. On that date, while under intense and accurate fire from unfriendly forces, Captain Leetun demonstrated cool courage, undaunted determination, and superior skill in pressing home devastating air attacks against hostile positions. Persevering in the face of danger and death, he relentlessly and effectively aided in neutralizing the hostile forces. Captain Leetun displayed outstanding heroism and devotion to duty and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.