The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Jack C. Ledford, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Director of Special Projects, Central Control Group, Headquarters, United States Air Force, from 27 August 1962 to 1 August 1966. During this period, General Ledford’s outstanding achievements and his dynamic leadership and initiative resulted in the development of several major projects and the significant improvement of several other important weapons systems. General Ledford’s achievements in this important assignment are in keeping with the highest standards of performance and traditions of the military service, and they reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
July 8, 1968 – September 30, 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Jack C. Ledford, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Ledford distinguished himself as Commander of the 12th Strategic Aerospace Division, from 8 July 1968 to 30 September 1970. In this important assignment, the forceful leadership, and the outstanding and dedicated efforts of General Ledford were significantly displayed in directing the missile and reconnaissance efforts of the 12th Strategic Aerospace Division at this installation, the 6th Strategic Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, and the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ledford reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Regiment:
XX Bomber CommandDivision:
20th Air ForceAction Date:
October 25, 1944
Office of Department Commander, Twentieth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 5 (December 20, 1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Jack Clarence Ledford (ASN: 0-429078), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-29 Very Heavy Bomber in the XX Bomber Command, TWENTIETH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 25 October 1944, against enemy targets in Japan. On this date Captain Ledford was assigned a mission against Omura, Kyushu Island, Japan. Shortly after dropping his bombs Captain Ledford’s plane was attacked by Japanese fighters. Captain Ledford was badly wounded, and his flight engineer, Master Sergeant Harry C. Miller, was wounded in the head. Captain Ledford refused medical aid for himself until the engineer had been treated. He handled the engineer’s fuel transfer system for nearly an hour until loss of blood forced him to stop. He then accepted aid but declined an opiate to keep his head clear. When the loss of fuel caused abandonment of the ship, Ledford aided the crew in ripping open an extra parachute. The shroud lines were cut off one end on one of them and was attached to the navigator’s table, the other to Miller’s rip cord. The unconscious engineer was dropped through the nose wheel well. The scheme worked. The static cord grew taut and the parachute blossomed open. Captain Ledford then jumped but delayed opening his chute to be near Miller when he landed. Despite the pilot’s effort, Sergeant Miller died shortly after he had been carried to an emergency hospital by Chinese soldiers. Captain Ledford’s wounds were treated and several days later he and his crew returned to their western China base. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ledford on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 20th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Jack C. Ledford, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ledford and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.