Team Rush Act Tribute

Lieutenant colonel William G. Leftwich, Jr.

William Groom Leftwich, Jr.

(April 28, 1931 – November 18, 1970)

Was an officer of the United States Marine Corps who served during the Vietnam War. In 1970, he was killed in a helicopter crash during a combat mission in the Vietnam War.

On November 18, 1970, 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 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 Leftwich’s personal supervision, then, as the helicopter began its ascent, it crashed into a mountainside in enemy territory, killing all aboard.

     Navy Cross,  Silver Star,  Legion of Merit w/ 2 award stars & valor device


Purple Heart w/ 2 award stars,  Meritorious Service,  Medal Air,  Medal Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal


Navy Occupation Service Medal,  National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star,  Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal,,  Vietnam Service Medal w/ 4 service stars


Vietnam Navy Distinguished Service Order 2nd Class,  Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ palm silve, & bronze stars,  Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal

Awards and honors

In 1978, the destroyer USS Leftwich (DD-984) was named in his honor.


In June 1979, the Marine Corps awarded the very first Leftwich Trophy for Outstanding Leadership in Leftwich’s memory. The award is presented annually to an outstanding Marine captain serving with the ground forces of the Fleet Marine Force at the time of nomination.

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The visitor center at the United States Naval Academy is named after LtCol Leftwich and his classmate, Lyle O. Armel II, and is named the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center.

LTC William Groom Leftwich, Jr

Birth: Apr. 28, 1931
Germantown
Shelby County
Tennessee, USA
Death: Nov. 18, 1970
Quang Nam, Vietnam

A Marine, Lt. Col. William Groom Leftwich Jr., participated in 27 major operations in Vietnam and was killed in Vietnam in 1970 while returning from a mission.


Son of William Groom Leftwich, Sr. & Mattie Howard Scrape.
A partial list of his medals include: 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. A Spruance-class destroyer, the USS Leftwich, was named after Lt. Col. William G. Leftwich, Jr

I did not go as far as suggesting "Billy" as his nickname although that is what his classmates actually always call him.

He was John Warner's Marine aide when the senator and former governor was Secretary of the Navy. He roomed with Ross Perot except when he was brigade commander second(winter) set and subcommander third (spring) and final set. Those two midshipman officers room together in a room with its own telephone. The spring set commander, future CNO Carl Trost, was Warner's Navy aide at the time that Billy was the Marine aide. The class all knew that Carl would be CNO and Billy Commandant of Marines, but Billy got himself killed instead.

Family links:
Parents:
William Groom Leftwich (1896 - 1966)
Mattie Howard Scrape Leftwich (1903 - 1992)

Spouse:
Jane Leftwich Ferrer Michael (1932 - 2015)*

*Calculated relationship

Inscription:
Tenness Lt COL US Marine Corps Korea Vietnam, NC-PH & 2 GS

Burial:
Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown
Memphis
Shelby County
Tennessee, USA
Plot: Section 1


Navy Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel William Groom Leftwich, Jr. (MCSN: 0-61154), United States 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.

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel William Groom Leftwich, Jr. (MCSN: 0-61154), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 August 1970, upon learning from intelligence sources that high level enemy commanders were planning to meet at a designated location in Quang Nam Province, Lieutenant Colonel Leftwich conceived a bold plan for an attack on the meeting place. Through expert analysis of all available intelligence data, he determined the exact location and time schedule of the proposed meeting, formulated a detailed plan, and alerted and briefed his attack force. Fully aware of the danger involved, he elected to forego the normal pre-landing reconnaissance activities and landing zone preparatory fires and, to avoid detection by the enemy, moved his men into the area by helicopters maneuvering at treetop level. Following his plan, Lieutenant Colonel Leftwich surreptitiously deployed his unit around the hostile headquarters and launched an aggressive attack which took the enemy commanders completely by surprise. When the now disorganized enemy attempted to escape, he directed his men in vigorous pursuit and disregarded his own safety as he moved to the most forward position to coordinate supporting arms fires. Under his dynamic and courageous leadership, his unit accounted for twelve enemy commanders killed, twelve others captured, and the seizure of seven weapons, and, according to subsequent intelligence reports, was instrumental in thwarting all planned enemy activity in the area. By his tactical skill, bold fighting spirit, and unflagging devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Leftwich upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

WILLIAM GROOM LEFTWICH, JR.

Memphis, Tennessee

"Lefty," modest almost to the point of denying all accomplishments, participated in varsity football and tennis. Plebe year he represented Navy in the Eastern Inter-collegiate Tennis Championships. As an indication of his well rounded personality, even temperament and capability., Bill's standing in aptitude put him at the top in '53. His willingness and dependability made him a perfect choice for such activities as Crest and Ring Committee and Sports Editor of Reef Points. What a guy! . . . What a personality ... it just can't be described . . . you have to meet him for yourself . . .

William Leftwich was born on April 28, 1931 in Memphis, Tennessee, where he graduated from Central High School. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on June 5, 1953 upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy. His roommate during part of his time at the Academy was Ross Perot. As Brigade Commander in his senior year at the Naval Academy, he was specially commended at graduation for exemplary officer-like qualities, which contributed “to the development of naval spirit and loyalty within the Brigade.

Upon entering the Marine Corps, Leftwich completed The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia in January 1954, and later served as a rifle platoon commander with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. During 1955–56, he served with the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa. On his return to the United States, he was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, where he was promoted to captain in July 1957. He then began a three-year assignment at the Naval Academy, serving as a company officer. An athlete himself, he also voluntarily performed collateral duty as assistant varsity tennis coach and battalion football coach.

In 1960, Leftwich rejoined the 2nd Marine Division, serving as a company commander until 1962 when he was named aide-de-camp to the Commanding General. In June 1963, he was assigned as aide to the Commander of Marine Corps Schools. He was promoted to major in July 1964. He later completed a course of study in the Vietnamese language prior to reporting for duty in Vietnam in January 1965 as Assistant Senior Advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Brigade.

Joining Task Force Alfa, Leftwich participated in 27 major operations against the Viet Cong in the central highlands of Vietnam, and spent more than 300 days in the field. He was wounded in the Battle of Hoai An on March 9, 1965 and awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for extraordinary heroism. According to his citation, he “…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… By his own personal example…, he led the attack… Despite injuries by enemy machine-gun bullets in the back, cheek and nose, he went to the aid of a mortally wounded comrade … and delayed his own evacuation until he could call for additional air strikes and brief the task force commander of the situation.”

Leftwich returned to the United States in January 1966, served as an instructor at The Basic School, then completed the Command and Staff College in June 1967 and was named to the Schools Honor List. Assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in November 1967 while serving as a systems analyst with the Manpower Management Information Branch, G-1 Division. He later became head of the Systems Analysis Section. In 1968, he was selected by the Under Secretary of the Navy to be his Special Assistant and Marine Corps Aide. He served in this capacity under Charles F. Baird and John W. Warner.

In April 1970, Leftwich began his second tour of duty in Vietnam, serving initially as the commander of 2nd Battalion 1st Marines. On September 13, he assumed duty as Commanding Officer of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

On November 18, 1970, 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 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 LtCol Leftwich’s personal supervision, then, as the helicopter began its ascent, it crashed into a mountainside in enemy territory, killing all aboard.

A Leader of Men...a Marine's Marine

Lt.Col. Bill Leftwich was my CO at 2d Bn 1st Marine Regiment in Vietnam from May-Sept. 1970 before going up to 1st Recon Bn. At both units he was the penultimate leader always concerned about his Marines and seemingly one step ahead of his enemy. In 1965 he should've been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions as an advisor with the Vietnamese Marine Brigade at Hoi An on March 9, 1965 but it was downgraded to a Navy Cross. Gen. Wm. Westmoreland stated in Aug. 1965 Bill was "the best advisor in Vietnam." I wanted to mention what an excellent Marine Bill was in a book I was writing but soon discovered a limited amount of words couldn't describe this man's great potential. A Naval Academy classmate, Ross Perot (yes, that Perot) said Bill could've been Commandant of the Marine Corps or anything else he put his mind to...which was awesome when put in motion. He died in the Que Son Mountains on Nov. 18, 1970 when the helicopter he was riding in extracting 7 Marines on a SPIE rig smacked into Hill 800 enshrouded in a cloudbank. No better epitaph could be written in the way he died...he died trying to extract his Marines who'd been stuck on the side of Hill 848 for 3 or 4 days with a Navy Corpsman incapacitated with a badly broken leg. He died trying to save his brothers...which is not only Biblical but typical of Bill Leftwich. His light shone too briefly, but he will not be forgotten...the Marine Corps has made certain of that...the Leftwich Trophy goes to outstanding officer leaders in his name, the USS Leftwich was named in his honor, a statue of Bill stands in front of the Admin Bldg. at Quantico and a building is named in his honor at the USNA in Annapolis, MD. Great men never really die. Semper Fi, Dan Kellum, 1stLt., USMC, Vietnam, Jan.1970-Jan.1971DAN KELLUM, 4/29/02
I was a friend of Bill's. As District Senior Advisor of Hoa Vang District, Quang Nam Province, from June 1970 through November 1971, I worked closely with the Marines in my District - especially Bill and his superior, Col. P. X. Kelly. On the night of his death, I visited Bill, at the helipad where he was departing with his LRP team. I was the last person, other than his team members, to see him alive. Bill was a vibrant, extraordinarily intelligent and caring man...a Marine's Marine. I've visited his spot on the wall in Washington and on one of the traveling walls. I've introduced all three of my daughters to Bill's name on the wall...and they all know of him and of his goodness, his greatness. To this day I'm brought to tears that he was taken from this world so shy of what he would have become...so shy of what he would have done with his family and his friends. He's ever in my heart...he's ever in my family's heart.

HARV AMES, Hancock, NH, HARV@AMESPLANNING.COM, 12/30/99
From Find A Grave, author unknown:

USS Leftwich (DD-984)

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