Edward W. Leonard, Jr.

By zthanson, 1 December, 2022
First Name
Edward
Middle Name
W.
Last Name
Leonard
Suffix
Jr.
Birthdate
Hometown
Winlock, Washington
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

Edward W. Leonard,  Jr. entered the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 1956, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force on June 8, 1960. After earning his pilot wings, Captain Leonard's first assignment was flying C-130A-II Hercules reconnaissance aircraft and Skyhook C-130's with the 7406th Support Squadron at Rhein Main AB, West Germany, from May 1963 to May 1967. He began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia as an A-1H Skyraider pilot with the 602nd Fighter Squadron at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, in May 1967, and he flew 257 combat missions and participated in the recovery of 18 aircrew members in North Vietnam and Laos before being shot down over Laos for the second time on May 31, 1968. He evaded the enemy for several days before being captured and taken as a Prisoner of War by the North Vietnamese on June 2, 1968.

Post Release Image
Older man in a suit and tie.
Post Release Description

Major Leonard was released during Operation Homecoming on March 28, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries and then entered Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, in August 1973. After graduating from the college, he was assigned flying the RF-4C Phantom II with the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing and then to Headquarters Third Air Force, both at RAF Mildenhall, England, where he served from May 1975 to May 1978. His final assignment was with the 602nd Tactical Air Control Squadron at Bergstrom AFB, Texas, where he served from May 1978 until his retirement from the Air Force on July 1, 1980. After his retirement from the Air Force, Ed graduated from Law School and served as a prosecutor for the Texas Insurance Department and later as a defense attorney in Astoria, Oregon. He also served as the mayor of Ilwaco, Washington, from 2001 to the end of 2006. Ed Leonard Flew West on Veterans Day, November 11, 2014, and was buried at the U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (4)
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
  • Bronze Star
  • Prisoner of War Medal


 

Passed away before release
Post Release