The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Leland Stanford Kollmorgen (NSN: 0-543020), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial combat flight as a jet attack pilot attached to and serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE, embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61). On 27 March 1968, Commander Kollmorgen was the pilot of a single A-6A, night all weather strike against the strategic Ha Duong Military Complex located four miles southeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Fully aware of the personal dangers involved, he flew his aircraft at an extremely low altitude into the most heavily defended area of North Vietnam in very adverse weather conditions. In spite of heavy ground fire and continuous surface-to-air missile warnings he pressed home a successful attack. Immediately after release of the weapons he was forced to evade two surface-to-air missiles while under full instrument flying conditions. Commander Kollmorgen’s courage, professional skill, initiative and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.