AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  CH-21C

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Officer John F. Leonard for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Chief Warrant Officer Leonard distinguished himself by heroic actions in the recovery of helicopters which were downed by the fire of hostile insurgent forces in the vicinity of Ap Bac, South Vietnam. Despite the fact that the helicopters were downed in territory infested with hostile Viet Cong forces, Chief Warrant Officer Leonard unhesitatingly volunteered to assist in the recovery of three downed CH-21C helicopters. Chief Warrant Officer Leonard was under intensive hostile fire while entering and leaving the recovery area, while repeatedly flying in maintenance crews and while repairing the downed aircraft to be flown out of the recovery area. Chief Warrant Officer Leonard persisted in returning to the area repeatedly with necessary parts, tools and assemblies to repair the downed aircraft and enable them to be flown out of the area. Despite the loss of one of the aircraft while attempting to leave the area, the successful recovery of two other helicopters was a direct result of the persistence and fearless movement through enemy fire on the part of Chief Warrant Officer Leonard. Tirelessly working on downed helicopters under extremely adverse conditions in rice paddy mud, he immeasurably assisted maintenance crews with his guidance and personal technical knowledge. When the third helicopter was downed immediately adjacent to the enemy positions on attempted departure, Chief Warrant Officer Leonard unhesitatingly and, at great risk to his personal safety, maneuvered his aircraft to the immediate scene and provided covering fire for the downed crew thus enabling the crew to extricate the Pilot from the wreckage. Chief Warrant Officer Leonard's unhesitating heroic actions and exemplary conduct in the presence of a hostile force are in the best traditions of the United States Army.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Officer John F. Leonard, Jr., for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Warrant Officer Leonard distinguished himself by heroic action on 6 February 1963 while serving as the Co-Pilot of a CH-21C helicopter in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Leonard volunteered to fly ammunition and supplies to a Vietnamese outpost besieged by Viet Cong forces and evacuate the critically wounded in his unarmed CH-21C helicopter. Fully realizing the hazards involved, he flew at maximum gross load to the outpost where the surrounded Vietnamese were greatly outnumbered and were receiving heavy machine gun and mortar fire. Although continuously threatened by the hostile fire, Warrant Officer Leonard and his crew unloaded the ammunition and supplies, and loaded twenty-six casualties aboard the helicopter. Through the skill of Warrant Officer Leonard, a successful take-off was accomplished although the aircraft was critically loaded and under hostile fire. As a result of Warrant Officer Leonard's efforts, the Vietnamese were able to continue the defense of the garrison and all but one of the casualties were saved. Warrant Officer Leonard's bravery and aviation skill reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.