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 with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Leonard J. Funderburk (AFSN: 0-3226750), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller in Southeast Asia on 20 March 1971. On that date, Lieutenant Funderburk, flying in an area designated to be among the highest threat regions in Southeast Asia, located nine camouflaged hostile anti-aircraft artillery positions. Despite extremely poor visibility due to haze and in the face of intense and accurate fire from these positions, Lieutenant Funderburk accurately marked the targets for tactical air ordnance which resulted in the destruction of all nine anti-aircraft artillery positions bringing his total number of hostile positions destroyed to an unprecedented one hundred fifteen during his assignment. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Funderburk reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
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:
23d Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
March 22, 1971
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Leonard J. Funderburk (AFSN: 0-3226750), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an OV-10 Bronco in the 23d Tactical Air Support Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 22 March 1971. On that date, Captain Funderburk flew his lightly armed observation aircraft into an extremely hostile air environment to support beleaguered allied ground forces during Operation Lam Son 719. When Captain Funderburk arrived on scene, a column of ten North Vietnamese tanks had already begun the final assault on the friendly forces. Captain Funderburk requested from tactical strike aircraft to protect the friendly forces from being decimated by the vastly superior firepower of the enemy. Realizing the life or death situation of the allies, Captain Funderburk, with complete disregard for his own safety, rolled in repeatedly on the advancing enemy tanks, armed only with marking rockets. He succeeded in halting the enemy tanks for a few precious minutes, and most of their fire was diverted to himself. Despite some of the most intense ground fire ever experienced, Captain Funderburk repeatedly made marking passes for the strike aircraft until the advancing tanks were halted. The results from the strikes directed by Captain Funderburk were three tanks destroyed and at least 1300 allied lives saved. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Captain Funderburk reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
23d Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand,Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant Leonard J. Funderburk (AFSN: 0-3226750), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
23d Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand,Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant Leonard J. Funderburk (AFSN: 0-3226750), United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.