The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Technical Sergeant LeRoy Wright, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as Helicopter Flight Mechanic aboard an HH-3E Rescue Helicopter the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, as part of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam, on 21 November 1970. Although suffering injury to his left foot and ankle during the landing in the prison compound, Sergeant Wright remained with the helicopter until all passengers and crew had exited the aircraft despite the possibility of aircraft explosion. Sergeant Wright then vigorously moved to an exposed area and, with complete disregard for his own life, placed extremely effective covering fire on enemy positions which endangered the operation thus freeing the Army element within the compound to continue its mission. Sergeant Wright then, despite the intense pain of his injury, courageously moved by himself more than 200 meters with the Army element to the extraction landing zone. These actions reflect great credit upon Sergeant Wright and the United States Air Force. 

"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~

"HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY

~NEVER FORGOTTEN~