AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  A-6

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Albert C. Leader for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 533, Marine Aircraft Group Twelve, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 July 1967, Captain Leader launched as the Bombardier/Navigator aboard an A-6 jet attack aircraft assigned a night interdiction mission against a heavily defended railroad complex located in North Vietnam. Proceeding to the target area, he skillfully employed his aircraft's complex navigational equipment and radar to assist the pilot in penetrating the enemy's outer surface-to-air missile ring and fighter patrol routes at low altitude. Displaying exceptional professional skill, Captain Leader accurately directed his pilot to the initial attack point over hazardous, irregular terrain, skillfully concealing the location of the intended target from enemy tracking facilities and hampering prolonged hostile radar acquisition. Approaching the target, his aircraft cleared the protective mountains as the pilot prepared to commence the attack. Immediately, the aircraft was detected by enemy radar and came under intense tracking fire. Disregarding the intense enemy fire, Captain Leader remained calm and quickly located the target and, unable to employ evasive maneuvers to negate the enemy fire, skillfully utilized his equipment to break enemy radar acquisition. As his aircraft approached the target through heavy fire, he expertly assisted the pilot in releasing the ordnance with pinpoint accuracy. Although plagued by almost constant enemy radar acquisition during the prolonged low altitude egress, Captain Leader navigated the aircraft safely through the hazardous area and again penetrated the enemy outer surface-to-air missile ring. His outstanding aeronautical skill and steadfast determination were instrumental in the accomplishment of this extremely hazardous mission. Captain Leader's resolute courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, at great personal risk, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Albert C. Leader for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 533, Marine Aircraft Group Twelve, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 October 1967, Captain Leader served aboard an A-6 attack aircraft launched on a night interdiction mission against a railroad yard on a vital supply route in the midst of a heavily defended area of North Vietnam. Displaying exceptional professional ability, he skillfully directed his pilot to the coastal entry point and accurately inserted the aircraft in the optimum channel formed by the weaker links in the enemy's defensive capability. Despite the darkness, poorly defined terrain features, fast closing returns on his instruments resulting from high speed, low level flight and the malfunction of the pilot's steering display, he succeeded in navigating the aircraft to the initial point of approach to the target area. Undaunted by the integrated defense of numerous radar-controlled anti-aircraft weapons mutually supported by surface-to-air missile sites, Captain Leader steadfastly monitored his instruments and activated his equipment as he assisted the pilot in maneuvering through the hostile fire during the approach. As the pilot ascended in order to provide Captain Leader a clear presentation of the target, the aircraft suddenly came under extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire and was immediately illuminated by several radar-controlled searchlights. Exhibiting outstanding technical skill and composure he remained calm as he manned his equipment and provided the data that enabled his pilot to release the ordnance with pinpoint accuracy on the railroad complex. He then directed the pilot through the area of least defense at low terrain clearance altitude to expeditiously depart the area. Captain Leader's superior professionalism, courage and steadfast devotion to duty at great personal risk were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Albert C. Leader for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 533, Marine Aircraft Group Twelve, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy. On 28 January 1968, Captain Leader launched as Bombardier/Navigator aboard an A-6 Intruder aircraft assigned a night road reconnaissance mission south of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. Despite the failure of his primary navigational equipment, he skillfully navigated his aircraft to the target area and commenced searching for hostile vehicular traffic. Alertly detecting an enemy convoy, he ably computed bomb release data and, as the pilot executed an attack, the aircraft's computer malfunctioned, preventing the ordnance from being dropped. Ignoring the intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, Captain Leader fearlessly provided his pilot with additional vectors and precise manual bomb release data, enabling him to commence another pass. During several additional attacks, Captain Leader ignored the intense hostile fire directed at his aircraft while skillfully providing the pilot with accurate attack information, enabling him to deliver his ordnance with devastating effectiveness and to cause six secondary explosions and numerous fires. His resolute determination and bold initiative in the face of great personal danger contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the hazardous mission. Captain Leader's courage, superb aeronautical ability and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.