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THE ELIZABETHTOWN NEWS

   Warrant Officer Charles E. "Wood" Leonard, Jr., of Radcliff, is shown receiving the Silver Star for bravery in Vietnam where he is a Helicopter Aircraft Commander and a helicopter pilot. The Radcliff young man is the son of retired Air Force Major Woody Leonard also of Radcliff.
   The Citation is as follows:
   For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam:
   Warrant Officer One Charles E. Leonard distinguished himself by exceptional valorous actions on 12 August 1969 while serving as aircraft commander of a UH-1H helicopter. While flying a "Night Hawk" detect and destroy mission in the vicinity of an LOC and QUAN LOI, Mr. Leonard distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions through his timely and effective suppression of determined hostile forces while in director support of Lush Tapes 57, the 9th ARVN Regiment at LZ Sidewinder.
   His decisive engagement of the threatening and well executed enemy attack was instrumental in preventing LZ Sidewinder from being overrun and destroyed by the hostile forces. When Ghost Rider 729, commanded by Mr. Leonard, arrived on station LZ Sidewinder was already in heavy enemy contact and was in imminent danger of being overrun. Ghost Rider 729 was immediately subjected to devastating enemy fires which included five well emplaced .50 caliber machine gun positions.
   Making a quick estimate of the enemy situation,, Mr. Leonard systematically engaged and annihilated half of these enemy positions before the crossover relay of his mini-gun burned out and the system failed. Undaunted by the loss of his primary source of firepower and without the cover normally provided by the Cobra escort Mr. Leonard, with total disregard for his own personal safety, engaged the enemy positions with M-60's placing accurate and deadly suppressive fire in the heart of the enemy's offensive onslaught.
     Even as he engaged the enemy, automatic weapons positions other elements of the attacking force infiltrated to the southwest and began throwing hand grenades over the protective berm and into the friendly positions. Upon notification by Lush Tapes 57, Mr. Leonard redirected his efforts to suppress the more immediate danger to the south. On the second low level pass over the hostile positions a .50 caliber round seriously wounded the pilot, Mr. Leonard flew the severely crippled aircraft and evacuated the wounded pilot to Quan Loi. Subsequent investigation of the aircraft revealed seven hits from the enemy fire, several of which were .50 caliber.
   Mr. Leonard's demonstrated gallantry, heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.