Leslie Wayne Lear, Captain, USAF (KIA)
March 20, 1925 – June 25, 1952

Captain Lear was the pilot of an H-5G helicopter with the 3rd Air Rescue Squadron, U.S. Air Force. On June 25, 1952 near Wonsan, he rescued a downed pilot, Ensign Ronald D. Eaton from Fighter Squadron 74 from the aircraft carrier USS BON HOMME RICHARD (CV-31). Captain Lear’s aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed ten miles south of Chongong-ni Korea.

Awarded Air Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.