This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Tommy Burgdorf (Birddog), FC2
to remember
Check, Leonard Joseph, LCDR.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Williston, ND
Last Address 845 B Ave Coronado, CA (Wife Margaret P. Check)
Casualty Date Jan 04, 1945
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Pacific
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Honolulu Memorial - Honolulu, Hawaii
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Leonard Joseph Check (NSN: 0-77727), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy in the Philippine Islands on 19 November 1944. As pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane and leader of a flight of fighters on a sweep and escort mission he shot down two enemy aircraft and damaged a third enemy aircraft. He then led his flight on two runs over an enemy airfield, knocking out anti-aircraft emplacements, destroying two aircraft on the ground and strafing and damaging at least eight additional grounded aircraft. His courage and skill were inspiring and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Leonard Joseph Check (NSN: 0-77727), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as the type leader of two divisions of carrier-based fighters on a strike against the Japanese Fleet in the Philippine Island Area on 25 October 1944. In the face of extremely intense medium and heavy anti-aircraft fire he led one division of fighters in on the disengaged side of heavy units of the enemy fleet in order to attract their fire and divert it from our dive bombers and torpedo-bombers that were making a simultaneous attack. He contributed courageous and inspiring leadership by his audacious attack and at all times his conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
