8 replies to this topic

[RAL]

On those occasions in the 26 years of my father's commissioned service after WWII (out of a total of 33 such years) when required to wear full dress uniform, these are the medals that he wore. Navy Cross w/second award; Legion of Merit w/combat V (star is for post war award, there's another star behind the Navy Cross and he was awarded a 4th upon retirement in 1971, but that star never made it to the medal); Distinguished Flying Cross; Bronze Star w/combat V; and Air Medal w/star for 5 additional awards. Wings are WWII vintage.



Rich

Edited by RAL, 12 January 2007 - 08:26 PM.

[Rattle]

Great service !!!
Who is your father if you don't mind asking.

Regards,
Stephan

[Brian D]

2 Navy Crosses! Wow. Yea, please share more with us. Your dad was a very highly decorated veteran. What did he win the NC's and LoM medals for? Please, don't tease us here.

[KASTAUFFER]

Not many Naval Aviators in WWII received that combo of awards!!! He must have been a squadron commander. Based on the early WWII NC on the bar I am guessing he may have been at Midway or the Battle of the Coral Sea ???


Kurt

[RAL]

William N. Leonard.

He was a 1938 graduate of the USNA and was designated a naval aviator (#6953) in December 1940. He was a fighter pilot aboard USS Yorktown from June 1941 through the Battle of Midway (VF-42 and VF-3). He then flew in VF-11 based out of Guadalcanal in the north Solomons campaign. He was credited with a total of 6 victories (he never counted partial credits or probables), 2 F1M2, 2 B5N2, and 2 A6M2, all while flying F4Fs. After returning form the Solomons in August 1943, he was assigned to Fleet Air West as fighter training officer until October 1944. He then served as an assistant operations officer on the staff of the 2d Fast Carrier Task Force (Task Force 38) until November 1945

After the war he was assigned to NATC at the Patuxent Naval Air Station as Projects Director. In January 1946, in a P-59B, he became the 73rd naval aviator to qualify in jets.

In 1948, he was in command of VF-17A (soon thereafter designated VF-171) when it became the first Navy all jet squadron and the first jet squadron to qualify for carrier operations. During his tour as CO of VF-171 he presented testimony to Congress in the B-36 hearings regarding the Navy’s ability to perform intercepts at altitudes greater than 50,000 feet using F2H Banshees.

Other operational assignments included Commander, Air Group 17; Executive Officer, VX-3 (all-weather operations); Commander, VX-5 (special weapons delivery); Executive Officer, USS Bonhomme Richard (CV-31); Captain, USS Salamonie (AO-26); Captain, USS Ranger (CVA-61); Commander, Carrier Division 14 (USS Wasp, CVS-18); and Commander, Naval Safety Center.

Even with the loss of information on flights recorded in his first logbook (it went down with the Yorktown), in all, he logged some 4087 flight hours, including 2761 hours in propeller driven aircraft and 1326 hours in jets,, approximately 2600 hours in VF/VA types and 150 hours in VT types, and 330 carrier landings. He flew some 82 different aircraft or major model variants.

He spent 33 years in commissioned service and retired as a Rear Admiral in July 1971. He passed away on 22 August 2005.

His Navy Crosses were for action at Coral Sea (VF-42) and Midway (VF-3). The Legion of Merit and Bronze Star awards came while on the staff of TF-38. The Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals were for service in the Solomons with VF-11. Other two Air Medals were for early carrier operations and the Lae-Salamaua raid, also in VF-42.

Other World War II Awards:
- Presidential Unit Citation (USS Enterprise).
- Navy Unit Commendation with star for second award (USS Hancock, USS Wasp).
- American Defense Medal with an Atlantic “A” device for Neutrality Patrol service.
- American Campaign Service Medal.
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with stars for ten campaigns/actions.
- Philippine Liberation Medal with stars for two additional awards.
- World War II Victory Medal.
- Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp.


1946 at NATC

Regards,

Rich

[Allan H.]

Rich,
WOW! What can I say other than WOW!!!! I cannot imagine what it would be like to grow up in the household of a heavily decorated war hero, fight pilot and ace, AND an Admiral?
Your father was a true hero in every sense of the word and I for one appreciate your sharing these images with the group.
I truly hope that you display these awards as they are stunning.
Thanks again!
Allan

William N. Leonard.

He was a 1938 graduate of the USNA and was designated a naval aviator (#6953) in December 1940. He was a fighter pilot aboard USS Yorktown from June 1941 through the Battle of Midway (VF-42 and VF-3). He then flew in VF-11 based out of Guadalcanal in the north Solomons campaign. He was credited with a total of 6 victories (he never counted partial credits or probables), 2 F1M2, 2 B5N2, and 2 A6M2, all while flying F4Fs. After returning form the Solomons in August 1943, he was assigned to Fleet Air West as fighter training officer until October 1944. He then served as an assistant operations officer on the staff of the 2d Fast Carrier Task Force (Task Force 38) until November 1945

After the war he was assigned to NATC at the Patuxent Naval Air Station as Projects Director. In January 1946, in a P-59B, he became the 73rd naval aviator to qualify in jets.

In 1948, he was in command of VF-17A (soon thereafter designated VF-171) when it became the first Navy all jet squadron and the first jet squadron to qualify for carrier operations. During his tour as CO of VF-171 he presented testimony to Congress in the B-36 hearings regarding the Navy’s ability to perform intercepts at altitudes greater than 50,000 feet using F2H Banshees.

Other operational assignments included Commander, Air Group 17; Executive Officer, VX-3 (all-weather operations); Commander, VX-5 (special weapons delivery); Executive Officer, USS Bonhomme Richard (CV-31); Captain, USS Salamonie (AO-26); Captain, USS Ranger (CVA-61); Commander, Carrier Division 14 (USS Wasp, CVS-18); and Commander, Naval Safety Center.

Even with the loss of information on flights recorded in his first logbook (it went down with the Yorktown), in all, he logged some 4087 flight hours, including 2761 hours in propeller driven aircraft and 1326 hours in jets,, approximately 2600 hours in VF/VA types and 150 hours in VT types, and 330 carrier landings. He flew some 82 different aircraft or major model variants.

He spent 33 years in commissioned service and retired as a Rear Admiral in July 1971. He passed away on 22 August 2005.

His Navy Crosses were for action at Coral Sea (VF-42) and Midway (VF-3). The Legion of Merit and Bronze Star awards came while on the staff of TF-38. The Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals were for service in the Solomons with VF-11. Other two Air Medals were for early carrier operations and the Lae-Salamaua raid, also in VF-42.

Other World War II Awards:
- Presidential Unit Citation (USS Enterprise).
- Navy Unit Commendation with star for second award (USS Hancock, USS Wasp).
- American Defense Medal with an Atlantic “A” device for Neutrality Patrol service.
- American Campaign Service Medal.
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with stars for ten campaigns/actions.
- Philippine Liberation Medal with stars for two additional awards.
- World War II Victory Medal.
- Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp.


1946 at NATC

Regards,

Rich

[4STARCHRIS]

Rich,
Thank you and your father for a great story. His is truly an American Hero in every sense of the word. One that was willling to pt his life on the line time and time again in some very horrific battles. I am honored to have read this story and glad you shared it.
4starchris

[Jeeper704]

Very impressive career indeed.
Respectfully,

Erwin

[Mark M]

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