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Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
 

Award of Air Force Cross to Leroy M. Wright

 
 
Award of Air Force Cross to Leroy M. Wright Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
1. Award of Air Force Cross to Leroy M. Wright Marker
Inscription.
Citation to Accompany the Award of
The Air Force Cross
to

Leroy M. Wright

Technical Sergeant Leroy M. Wright distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a helicopter crew member of a Joint United States Task Force which conducted a rescue operation against the Son Tay Prisoner of War Camp in North Vietnam on 21 November 1970. Although suffering injury to his left foot and ankle during the landing in the compound, Sergeant Wright, despite the possibility of explosion, remained with the helicopter until all passengers and crew exited the aircraft. Sergeant Wright then vigorously moved to an exposed area, and with complete disregard for his own life, placed extremely effective covering fire at positions which endangered the operation thus freeing the Army element within the compound to continue its mission. Sergeant Wright, ignoring the intense pain and injury, courageously moved unassisted more than 200 meters with the Army element in the extraction landing zone. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Sergeant Wright reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
 
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2006 by Gunter NCOA Class 06-3.
 
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list.
 
Location. 32° 24.261′ N, 86° 14.975′ W. Marker is in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of McDonald Street and Avenue D. Located at the USAF Senior NCO Academy at the Gunter Annex and requires base access. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 McDonald St, Montgomery AL 36114, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. McGrath (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Donald G. Smith (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Charles L. Schaub (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Theodore M. Hamlin (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Jon D. Harston (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Timothy A. Wilkinson (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Michael E. Fish (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. King (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex.
 
Regarding Award of Air Force Cross to Leroy M. Wright.
Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques. image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
2. Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques.
On Nov. 21, 1970, the US conducted a rescue mission at the Son Tay POW camp in North Vietnam. At the prison compound, enemy fire forced one of the rescue helicopters to make a rough landing, in which helicopter flight mechanic TSgt. Leroy M. Wright severely injured his leg. Despite his injury and the danger of the helicopter exploding, he let everyone else exit the aircraft before him. He then used his weapon to help Army combat troops advance to their target. Realizing that requesting assistance could jeopardize the mission, Wright, who was suffering intense pain, returned to the recovery area on his own. He was the only enlisted member to receive the AF Cross for that mission.
 
Leroy M. Wright image. Click for full size.
Photographed By USAF Photo
3. Leroy M. Wright
Enlisted Air Force Cross Description image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
4. Enlisted Air Force Cross Description

The AF Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy, to any person while serving with the U.S. Air Force, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing enemy force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces, engaged in conflict against an opposing force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. It is awarded for heroic actions second in precedence only to the Medal of Honor and is presented in the name of the President. It was established by Congress by Public Law 88-593 on 6 July 1960.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 789 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

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Mar. 29, 2024