AMONG THE BRAVE
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM CAPTAIN DAREL LEETUN
AIR FORCE CROSS
“The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to DAREL DEAN LEETUN, CAPTAIN, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, SEVENTH Air Force, in action against the Cao Nung Highway Bridge in North Vietnam on 17 September 1966. On that date, CAPTAIN LEETUN led a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs against a heavily defended high priority target near Hanoi. Undaunted by intense and accurate flak, deadly surface-to-air missiles, and hostile MiGs, CAPTAIN LEETUN led his flight through this fierce environment to the crucial target. On the bomb run, CAPTAIN LEETUN’s Thunderchief was hit by hostile fire, becoming a flaming torch and nearly uncontrollable; however, CAPTAIN LEETUN remained in formation and delivered his high-explosive ordnance directly on target. After bomb release, CAPTAIN LEETUN’s plane went out of control and was seen to crash approximately 10 miles from the target area. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, CAPTAIN LEETUN reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Among CAPTAIN LEETUN’s combat awards: the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross (3), Purple Heart and the Air Medal (10).
(Note: the Cao Nung railroad and highway bridge is located 17 miles northeast of Kep)
