AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Petty Officer George R. Leduc for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 8 May 1970. Petty Officer Leduc was the right door gunner in the trail aircraft of two attack helicopters attached to Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three when his fire team was scrambled to assist a patrol boat which was surrounded by a large enemy force. His fire team entered unfamiliar country on a black, rainy night under actual instrument conditions. The patrol boat was still under a savage automatic weapons and rocket attack from both banks of the river, as the fire team arrived overhead. It ws imossible to determine the outline of the river or the target location due to the weather and darkness. Petty Officer Leduc bravely and selflessly attacked with devastating and accurate machine gun fire, as his fire team leader turned on his landing lights to illuminate and identify the target, thereby drawing the enemy's fire from the boat unit. Using this tactic the fire team placed accurate fire into the enemy positions, at times within 20 meters of the boat. Despite the intense automatic weapons and air-bursting rocket fire directed against the aircraft after each attack, Petty Officer Leduc aided his aircraft commander in relocating the target and attacked with machine gun fire, as the least aircraft's landing lights were turned on. THe fire team continued to use this tactic until all enemy fire was suppressed and the patrol boat was able to withdraw safely. Petty Officer Leduc's heroic actions in the face of intense enemy fire saved the boat unit from certain destruction and the loss of many lives. His performance was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.