The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting  the   DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to

for service as set forth in the following

                 CITATION:

                               "For  heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while  serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364,  Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen,  First Marine Aircraft Wing  in connection  with combat operations against  the enemy in the  Republic of Vietnam.  On the afternoon of 29 January 1971, First Lieutenant Leek launched as Section Leader of a flight of two  CH-46  transport  helicopters assigned  the emergency hoist  extraction of a six-man  Marine reconnaissance team  which had sustained  two casualties  while heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force in a densly-jungled  mountainous area in the vicinity of Landing Zone Ross in the Quang Nam Province.  Arriving over  the  designated area, he was informed by  the Forward Air Controller (Air- borne) that the beleaguered patrol was located in a small ravine at an altitude of 2,500 feet  in an area surrounded by  tall trees and dense undergrowth  and  that the Marines were under enemy rocket-propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire. Undaunted, First Lieutenant Leek coordinated his approach with the rocket and strafing  runs of supporting gunships, skillfully maneuvered  his aircraft to a hover  sixty  feet  above  the pick-up  site,  and  completely  disregarded  his own safety as he resolutely remained in  his precarious position while the members of the  reconnaissance team  attached themselves and  their  wounded  comrades to the  extraction  line.  Ignoring  the  heavy  volume  of  hostile  fire directed at his transport, he expertly lifted his helicopter straight up to avoid the trees and then departed  the  dangerous  area.  While  en  route  to  Landing  Zone  Ross,  First Lieutenant  Leek  was  informed  that  one  of  the  casualties on the  line needed immediate attention.  Reacting  instantly, he  maneuvered to a hover over a  rice paddy, lowered  the team members to  the ground, landed nearby, embarked the Marines, and then departed for  the hospital at DaNang.  First Lieutenant Leek's courage, superior  airmanship, and  unwavering  devotion to duty  in  the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and  were in  keeping with the  highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."