KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- In a powerful and symbolic return, the wing from a downed A-1H Skyraider flown during the Vietnam War was recently discovered in Laos and has been rightfully returned to its legacy unit—the 353rd Special Operations Wing.
This artifact, found decades after the end of the war, flew its last sortie with Lt. Col. Edward Leonard (ret.), a decorated pilot who flew 257 combat missions and executed18 rescues during the Vietnam War. With the wing’s return, we are reminded of his story—and with that, what it truly means to be a member of the 353rd SOW and the broader Air Force Special Operations Command community.
Leonard flew the aircraft’s last combat search and rescue mission on May 31, 1968, to save downed Navy pilot Commander Kenny Fields (callsign Streetcar 304). Leonard was shot down in the rugged terrain of Laos and though he evaded capture for three days, he was ultimately taken prisoner and held for five years.
Despite the hardship, Leonard returned home in 1973 and continued to serve until his retirement. He passed away peacefully in 2014, but his courage, resilience, and sacrifice continue to echo in the hearts of the Air Commandos who follow in his footsteps.
“Lt. Col. Leonard’s legacy reminds us of who we are and what we stand for,” said Col. Shawn V. Young, commander of the 353rd Special Operations Wing. “His story is not just history—it’s a reflection of the values we live every day: service before self, unwavering excellence, and an ironclad commitment to one another. That wing may have been lost for a time, but his legacy never was.”
The return of the aircraft’s wing to the 353rd SOW connects past and present—honoring those who wore the patch before and reinforcing the standard for those who wear it today. It reminds us that heroism isn’t found in headlines, but in the daily devotion to mission, to teammates, and to doing the right thing, even in the face of adversity.
The legacy of the Skyraider also lives on in the future of AFSOC. In February of this year, AFSOC officially announced the name of its newest aircraft—the OA-1K Skyraider II. The Skyraider II is a modular aircraft designed to adapt capabilities for required mission sets be it close air support, precision strike, or armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for special operations teams in austere environments, much like the original Skyraiders did in Southeast Asia. The naming of the Skyraider II is a direct tribute to warriors like Lt. Col. Leonard, who flew into danger to bring others home. By embracing this lineage, AFSOC ensures that the bold spirit and mission-driven legacy of Skyraider pilots continue to define the Air Commando ethos for generations to come.
Today’s Batcats of the 353rd SOW carry forward Leonard’s legacy with pride. Whether responding to crisis, training with allies, or standing ready in the Pacific theater, their actions reflect the enduring traits that defined Leonard’s service—courage, skill, sacrifice, and relentless dedication to the mission.