Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Bruce Gerald Leonard, Jr. (AFSN: FR-80481), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander, 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action on 6 May 1972. On that date, Captain Leonard led a flight of two F-4’s into the heavily defended area of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. In spite of heavy ground fire and marginal weather conditions, Captain Leonard destroyed one antiaircraft artillery piece and two stacks of supplies. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Leonard reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    389th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Bruce Gerald Leonard, Jr. (AFSN: FR-80481), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Pilot of the 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action over North Vietnam on 25 October 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Leonard voluntarily subjected himself to intensive anti-aircraft fire from hostile gun positions in sup[port of a visual reconnaissance mission. In so doing, he was instrumental in completely destroying six gun positions, silencing twenty-five and damaging six others. The results of this outstanding mission significantly weakened the defenses and enabled visual reconnaissance to again be conducted unhampered. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Leonard reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    November 10, 1971

    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 to Captain Bruce Gerald Leonard, Jr. (AFSN: FR-80481), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander, 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action on 10 November 1971. On that date, Captain Leonard led a flight of two F-4D tactical fighters to provide support for friendly forces who were under attack from a hostile forces command observation point in Southeast Asia. Despite the close proximity of friendly forces, antiaircraft fire, and limited visibility amidst rugged terrain, Captain Leonard delivered his ordnance with unerring accuracy on three important targets. His precise ordnance delivery destroyed several valuable communications facilities, two large supply structures, and five bunkers, while causing two secondary explosions and uncovering a trail network. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Leonard reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    November 10, 1971

    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 Bruce Gerald Leonard, Jr. (AFSN: FR-80481), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander, 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action on 31 January 1972. On that date, Captain Leonard participated in a flight of sixteen F-4D tactical fighters to provide armed escort for unarmed RF-4C reconnaissance aircraft into a heavily defended area of North Vietnam. When, simultaneously, antiaircraft fire became a threat to the flight and the launch of surface-to-air missiles became imminent, Captain Leonard boldly attacked and destroyed one surface-to-air missile facility and silenced the antiaircraft fire, allowing the reconnaissance aircraft to accomplish the assigned objective. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Leonard reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    May 31, 1972

    U.S. Air Force Academy Southeast Asia Plaza of Heroes

    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 Captain Bruce Gerald Leonard, Jr. (AFSN: FR-80481), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 31 May 1972. On that date, Captain Leonard, an F-4D Aircraft Commander, was element leading a flight of four F-4D aircraft on a Combat Air Patrol mission in support of a strike force attacking vital targets in the vicinity of Kep Airfield, North Vietnam. During the mission the flight provided protection for the strike force by engaging eleven hostile aircraft, and Captain Leonard further gave immediate and direct support to the members of his own flight by engaging and shooting down a hostile aircraft that was attacking the lead element. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Leonard has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.