‘If we had a mission to do, we did it’

Renville man awarded Air Medal, Bronze Star, Silver Star, Purple Heart for service in Vietnam

By Patricia Buschette

 Leonard O. DeGree of Renville prepared for combat in Vietnam. Contributed photo

In 1964, much of the news of the world focused on Vietnam because of attacks on U.S. Naval vessels by North Vietnamese forces. Known as The Gulf of Tonkin incident, it escalated U.S. military involvement.

Leonard DeGree was a 1960 graduate of Renville High School who still lives in Renville, Minn. Four years after graduation, in 1964, he was drafted in the U.S. Army, entering service duty in March. 

“I was drafted and didn’t have to think about it,” he said.  Leonard was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia, for basic training and then advanced training in Oklahoma. During this time he was in Officer Candidate School. The timeline of his service in the U.S. Army is a story of dedication and commitment.

“In 1967 I spent my first tour in ‘Nam in the infantry as a Second Lieutenant. I was a platoon leader and we fought the enemy in the jungles.” After the first year Leonard made First Lieutenant and received the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

“In 1968 I came home on leave, went to advanced flight training in Texas where I got my helicopter pilot’s license with advanced training in Fort Rucker, Alabama,” he said.

In 1970 it was back to Vietnam, this time as a Captain, and the main gunship helicopter pilot.

“I was stationed at Quảng Tri and did most of my flying out of there.” Quảng Tri was on the  northern most province of South Vietnam, bordering North Vietnam.

This was a prime target of the North Vietnamese during the 1968 Tet Offensive.

“Enemies were here and there and every place. The company I was in lost a few people,” he said.

“We covered Medivac that picked up wounded and evacuated them to the nearest firebase,” he said. “If there was enemy around, we took care of them.”

Badly wounded men were flown directly to a main base. There was a chopper pad, and further transport of wounded could be taken care of from that point.

“On the helicopter there was also a co-pilot with one gunner on each side door,” he explained. “Each had an automatic machine gun mounted on the floor. As pilot, I would fire the rockets. There were mini-guns on the skids of the helicopter and I would also fire them.”

How did he know the location of a target?

“Other troops let me know they were taking fire from an area. We zeroed in on it. We came in ahead and cleared the area for Medivac that came in to pick up troops – we provided cover for them.”

Was there a problem getting in and out safely?

“We had a couple of holes come up through the floor of the helicopter, one time,” he said, remembering. “We got holes in it once in a while but it didn’t hit anything important, and the helicopter I had didn’t get shot down,” Leonard said, adding, “It made you a little nervous.”

Captain Leonard O. DeGree, photo compliments of the Renville County Museum and Historical Society in Morton, Minn. Contributed photo

“That was a long time ago... jeepers,” Leonard said as he thought back to the role he had played in the war.

“We would get called out if troops were in trouble and try to tighten it up a little bit. With gatling guns it got a little touchy once in a while. I am not one to take a lot of chances, but if we had a mission to do, we did it. It was my job and I did it,” he said. “You had commanders over you and you did what you were told. I liked the flying part.”

There was contact with South Vietnamese who were employed by the U.S. Government.

“They respected us and if you needed help, they would help,” he said.

In 1972 Leonard came home on leave and then was sent to Panama.

“There I flew helicopter, escorting Americans within the country – we had a couple of bases there,” he said. “That was interesting... helping local people out. We transported them here and there.”

According to Army records, Leonard received many awards for his service including a Bronze Star with V Device for heroism in action on Dec. 15, 1967 against an enemy force in support of ground actions. Another  was awarded for meritorious service as an airman officer for the division’s first Brigade and a Purple Heart was for wounds received in action.

Official records state that Leonard distinguished himself by exceptionally heroic action while serving as a platoon leader with Company B 1st Battalion (Airborne) 12th Cavalry during a search and destroy mission near Tam Quan. When his company became engaged with a numerically superior army force, Leonard deployed his men to the best available covering position. When his machine gunner was wounded by enemy fire, he personally took over the position and covered the extraction of the wounded, he then led his platoon in a heroic assault, eliminating the enemy positions in his platoon’s sector.

Contemporary press releases report many honors. Leonard was awarded the Air Medal having participated in more than 25 aerial missions over hostile territory in support of counterinsurgency operations. He  was awarded the Silver Star  “for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations during a combat mission near Truong Lam... he personally assaulted and destroyed a number of hostile bunkers.”

Retired Captain Leonard O. Degree in his home in Renville, Minn. Photo by Patricia Buschette

According to the news release, “he continuously exposed himself to the heavy enemy fire as he moved forward to assist a seriously wounded soldier. He led a group of men to evacuate the other wounded soldiers to safety.”

“I got a fixed wing license when I was discharged,” Leonard said. “When I came back, I enjoyed flying... not long trips or anything,” adding, “the folks didn’t think I should do that.”

His life changed dramatically in 1975 when he and Brenda Peterson, also of Renville, were married January 18, 1975 at First Lutheran Church in Renville. He returned to his pre-service employment for Paul Lentz doing plastering. Later he was employed by Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative in Renville where he worked on piler maintenance and did welding.

While active service is over, Leonard is a valued member of the Adwell-Garvey Legion Post 180 in Renville. On July 5, 2014, he was chosen as the veteran to be given the honor of raising the flag at the Minnesota Twins – New York Yankees game. The Minnesota Twins have a long-standing tradition of honoring veterans and active military members at their games. 

“I was proud to represent the Garvey-Adwell post at this event,” Leonard said.

While some memories of his service in Vietnam are obscured by the mist of time and uncomprehensible stress that only wartime can mean, the record is clear. Capt. Leonard O. DeGree’s service to the people of the United States cannot be measured. He truly is a hero.