LIEUTENANT COMMANDER WILLIAM RICHARD LEONARD, (then Lieutenant Commander), United States Navy. For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Torpedo Bomber and Strike Leader in Torpedo Squadron SIXTEEN, attached to the U. S. S. RANDOLPH, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Inland Sea, July 24, 1945. Fearlessly disregarding intense enemy antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant Commander Leonard led a flight of torpedo, dive and fighter-bombers in an attack on a hostile battleship-carrier, personally scoring a direct hit and two near misses which contributed materially to the ultimate sinking of the enemy capital ship. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.