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| 32k | Lieutenant Colonel William G. Leftwich, Jr., the citation reads "The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William Groom Leftwich, Jr. (0-61154), Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as the Senior Task Force Advisor to Task Force ALFA, Vietnamese Marine Brigade, in the vicinity of Hoai An Village, Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 9 March 1965. Major Leftwich played a major part in all phases of the successful relief of the village of Hoai An, which was under heavy enemy attack by two Viet Cong battalions. Prior to the actual operation, he worked out a plan with the 22d Division Air Liaison Officer for supporting aircraft to deliver their ordnance in extra-close proximity to the front lines, and then to continue simulated attacks while the Vietnamese Marines assaulted the enemy positions. He participated in the planning of the approach march which, by using last-minute intelligence, avoided a massive ambush planned by the Viet Cong. As lead elements of the Task Force contacted the Viet Cong from an unexpected direction, he sensed the ideal opportunity to use the prearranged air support plan, and taking the radio, he moved under heavy fire to the forward-most elements of the Task Force. By his own personal example of shooting point-blank and shouting, he led the attack which overran the immediate Viet Cong positions and carried the assault to within forty meters of the crest of a hill overlooking Hoai An. Despite injuries by enemy machine-gun bullets in the back, cheek, and nose, he went to the aid of a mortally wounded comrade, and although bleeding profusely, he refused assistance and delayed his own evacuation until he could call for additional air strikes and brief the Task Force Commander of the situation. Through his heroic conduct and fearless devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, Major Leftwich upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service." | Bill Gonyo | |
| 69k | Undated, location unknown. | - | |
| 63k | Undated, location unknown. | Joe Barbaritz | |
| 48k | Undated, location unknown. | Joe Barbaritz | |
| 71k | Undated postcard Copyright © Marine Photos, San Diego, CA. | Mike Smolinski | |
| 115k | DN-St-84-01212. February 14 1983, an aerial view of the ship repair facility at the U.S. Naval Station Subic Bay. The Spruance-class destroyer USS Leftwich (DD 984) can be seen in a floating dry dock. U.S. Navy Photo by PH2 R. Manary. | Robert M. Cieri | |
| 75k | July 1986, location unknown. | Robert Hurst | |
| 124k | DN-ST-87-02993. A crew member explains basic handling principles for the Mark 46 torpedo and the Mark 32 torpedo tube launcher aboard the destroyer USS LEFTWICH (DD-984). The ship is participating in a midshipmen's summer training cruise. Photo by PH2 Flynn, July 1 1986. | Bill Gonyo | |
| 39k | Vancouver, BC July 3 1986. | Marc Piché | |
| 34k | Vancouver, BC July 3 1986. | Marc Piché | |
| 110k | DN-ST-87-03022. Crew members aboard the destroyer USS LEFTWICH (DD 984) work to secure lines at a pier. The ship is participating in a midshipmen's summer training cruise. San Francisco photo by PH2 Michael Flynn, July 12 1986. | Bill Gonyo | |
| 38k | Seattle August 1986. | Marc Piché | |
| 35k | Seattle October 1986. | Marc Piché | |
| 38k | Fremantle, Australia December 1987. | Marc Piché | |
| 88k | Sydney, Australia December 1987. | Marc Piché | |
| 84k | Sydney, Australia December 1987. | Marc Piché | |
| 97k | Sydney, Australia December 1987. | Marc Piché | |
| 126k | The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force destroyer Hatsuyuki (DD-122), foreground, and the destroyer Leftwich (DD-984) are moored at a pier as the Tuskegee (YTB-806) and another tug maneuver the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force destroyer Hatakaze (DD-171) into her assigned berth at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI., 1 April 1989. DVIC photo # DN-SC-92-04835 by OS2 John Bouvia | Defense Visual Information Center | |
| 38k | Fremantle, Australia April 21 1997. | Marc Piché | |
| 44k | Fremantle, Australia April 21 1997. | Marc Piché | |
| 73k | June 4 2000, Middle Loch, Pearl Harbor, Oahu Hawaii, starboard bow view of four decommissioned Spruance class destroyers. They are: USS Ingersoll (DD 990 ), USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986), USS Leftwich (DD 984) and USS Merrill (DD 976). The ships are moored at the Naval Ships Intermediated Maintenance Facility. | Fred Weiss | |
| 49k | Left to right - USS Ingersoll (DD-990), USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986), USS Merrill (DD-976) and USS Leftwich (DD-984) at NISMF Pearl Harbor August 1 2000. Thanks to Michael C. Potter who gave us the proper ID's. | Jim Bedient | |
| 58k | Same as above, different angle. | Jim Bedient | |
| 56k | Ten views of the sinking of the Leftwich on August 1 2003. | Joe Gardella | |
| 55k | As above. | Joe Gardella | |
| 39k | As above. | Joe Gardella | |
| 43k | As above. | Joe Gardella | |
| 48k | As above. | Joe Gardella | |
| 34k | As above. | Joe Gardella | |
| 38k | As above. | Joe Gardella | |
| 32k | As above. | Joe Gardella | |
| 34k | As above. | Joe Gardella | |
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| 29k | As above. | Joe Gardella | |
| 81k | Ship's patch | Mike Smolinski | |
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Contact Name: Steven Tedder
Address:
Phone: 843-292-9321
E-mail: tedder_s@bellsouth.net
Note About Contacts.