NAME                                 BIRTH                 DEATH   LAST RESIDENCE         SSN    ISSUED         TOOLS

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Lenny's Mass Card and Biography

Posted for: LEONARDO CAPISTRAN LEONOR:

This is the mass card provided by Lenny's family on the occasion of his burial at Arlington National Cemetery on May 24, 2002...

Major Leonardo Capistrano Leonor was born in Manila, Philippines and was raised in Long Island, New York City. He graduated from St. Agnes High School and New York University. His father is Jose A. Leonor who served in the U.S. Army in Europe during WWII. His mother is Clotilde Capistrano Leonor who was a devout catholic and dedicated mother.

His family and friends describe him as kind, compassionate, helpful, generous, patient, joyful, fun loving and courageous. He was a man for others. He enjoyed bowling and drag racing, winning trophies in both sports.

In the United States Air Force, Major Leonardo C. Leonor distinguished himself through his professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty. On 27 June 1972 while participating in an aerial mission as an F-4D Weapons Systems Officer, he penetrated a heavily defended area in North Vietnam to locate several downed air crew members and directed rescue forces. He drew enemy fire to himself, and away from the rescue forces, resulting in the success of the mission. For this act of bravery, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He received two other Distinguished Flying Cross medals for outstanding heroism and aerial skill, on 04 October 1972 and 05 October 1972.

He also received The Air Medal (First through thirteenth Oak Leaf Cluster) for the successful accomplishment of important missions under extremely hazardous conditions 10 February 1972 to 10 October 1972. He received a second Air Medal on 19 April 1972 for successfully completing his mission without regard for personal safety. A third Air Medal was awarded to him (Fifteenth Oak Leaf Cluster) for contributing to the protection of all friendly aircraft and for the success of his mission.

On 10 October 1972, while flying as Forward Air Controllers directing a strike mission, contact was lost and the F-4E Phantom II failed to return to friendly lines. A search followed without results. Captain Leonardo C. Leonor and his companion Captain Peter M. Cleary were declared Missing in Action. While MIA, nevertheless, both men were promoted to the rank of Major, before review boards amended their status to Killed in Action.

A joint U.S.-SRV persevered in the search and recovery of the men killed and missing in action. In 1994 CILHI personnel excavated an F-4 crash site in Quang Binh province, North Vietnam. Recovered from the crash site were skeletal fragments attributed to Maj. Leonor on the basis of DNA analysis matching that of his sister’s whose blood was obtained in the year 2000. His identification tag was also turned over by a Vietnamese national. On February 12, 2002, his sister was informed of the findings. His remains were interred at Arlington National Cemetery on May 24, 2002. Part of the remains will be brought to the Philippines, the country of his birth.

The Purple Heart was bestowed on Major Leonardo Capistrano Leonor for gallantly giving his life in the service of his country as a member of the United States Air Force on 09 August 1978, Posthumous.

The Honorable Service Medal was given to his parents Jose and Clotilde Leonor in his memory on 20 July 1978.

Eternal rest grant to Leonardo, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.

Posted by: Tom Cleary
Email:
Relationship: He flew/died with my brother
Friday, October 10, 2003                    

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