Photo #77093
Last Name: Leftwich
First Name: William
Middle Name: Groom
Subject's City:
Subject's State: TN
Subject's County: Shelby
Subject's Country: United States
Date: 1961-1965
Photographer:
Photographer's City:
Photographer's State:
Nee:
Type**: B&W
Comments: William Groom Leftwich (Nee: ) | TN United States | 1961-1965 | Comments: On November 18, 1970, Lt. Col. Leftwich was killed in a helicopter crash during an emergency extraction of one of his reconnaissance teams. In accordance with his practice of accompanying every emergency extraction called for by his reconnaissance teams, he was serving as senior "extract officer" for such a mission on the day of his death. The team had incurred casualties and requested an emergency extraction from enemy-infested territory in an area beginning to be enveloped by dense fog. The team was extracted under Lt. Col. Leftwich's personal supervision, then, as the helicopter began its ascent, it crashed into a mountainside in enemy territory, killing all aboard.
A partial list of his medals and awards includes: The Navy Cross, the Silver Star (posthumous), the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and two gold stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with one gold star, the Purple Heart with two gold stars, and various personal awards from the Republic of Vietnam.
Digital Image Only? NO
Everyone Listed In This Photo:
William Leftwich
