William N. Leonard
William N. Leonard | |
|---|---|
 Lieutenant William Leonard during World War II | |
| Born | January 12, 1916 Douglas, Arizona |
| Died | August 21, 2005 (aged 89) |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1938–1971 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands | Naval Safety Center USS Ranger USS Salamonie VF-171 |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Navy Cross (2) Legion of Merit (4) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal Air Medal (6) |
| Relations | Charles F. Leonard, Jr. (brother) |
William Nicholas Leonard (January 12, 1916 – August 21, 2005) was an American aviator, a flying ace of World War II, and a rear admiral in the United States Navy.
Leonard was born in Douglas, Arizona, the son of United States Army Colonel Charles F. Leonard and his wife Hannah M. Leonard.
Leonard graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1938 and was designated Naval Aviator #6953 in 1940. He fought in the Pacific battles of the Coral Sea, Midway and the Solomons. He was awarded the Navy Cross at both Midway and the Coral Sea. He was also awarded the Legion of Merit (four times), the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal (six times) and a Bronze Star.
"In the words of Barrett Tillman, World War II aviation historian, [Leonard] is a 'national treasure' because he is so generous with his time and knowledge, records, and photos."[1]
After the war, he became a test pilot and commander, including of carrier groups. He retired in 1971 as a rear admiral.
Two of his brothers also became high-ranking officers: Army Major General Charles F. Leonard, Jr. and Army Air Forces Lieutenant Colonel John Wallis Leonard, who was killed in action in World War II. William Leonard, his father and two brothers are all interred in Arlington National Cemetery.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Rearden, Jim. Koga's Zero – the Fighter that Changed World War II. ISBN 0-929521-56-0, second edition. Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, Missoula Montana. 1995. p. iix
- ^ Burial Detail: Leonard, William N (section 1, grave 304-C-1) – ANC Explorer
External links
[edit]- William Nicholas Leonard: Rear Admiral, United States Navy, ArlingtonCemetery.net, 17 December 2022, an unofficial website
- American test pilots
- American World War II flying aces
- Aviators from Arizona
- Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
- Recipients of the Air Medal
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
- United States Navy rear admirals (lower half)
- United States Navy officers
- United States Navy pilots of World War II
- 1916 births
- 2005 deaths