Retired Springfield Soldier Receives Legion of Merit, Returns Favor

Related Media

Retired Illinois Army National Guard Col. David Leckrone of Springfield (right), is presented the Legion of Merit by retired Illinois Air National Guard Col. John Newman Aug. 17 at Camp Lincoln.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/17/2012)(readMedia)-- Retired Illinois Army National Guard Col. David Leckrone of Springfield, received the Legion of Merit in a ceremony Aug. 17 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

Leckrone received the award for meritorious service during his more than 28 years in the Illinois National Guard. Leckrone retired in 2009 as the director of logistics for the Joint Staff of the Illinois National Guard's Joint Forces Headquarters in Springfield.

The Legion of Merit was presented to Leckrone by retired Illinois Air National Guard Col. John Newman, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Training Readiness and Mobilization (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). The medal is the sixth highest award in the order of precedence of U.S. military awards and decorations.

Following the ceremony Leckrone presented a check for $1,000 to the Illinois Military Family Relif Fund.

Leckrone was responsible for the the coordination of logictical support missions, re-construction projects and other projects that contributed to the overall success of the Illinois National Guard. While in the Illinois National Guard Leckrone served in various command and leadership postions to include battalion commander, brigade staff and state command staff positons. He served on several overseas missions and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 to 2008.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Retired Illinois Army National Guard Col. David Leckrone of Springfield (right), is presented the Legion of Merit by retired Illinois Air National Guard Col. John Newman, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Training Readiness and Mobilization (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) Aug. 17 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Retired Illinois Army National Guard Col. David Leckrone of Springfield, is presented the Legion of Merit by retired Illinois Air National Guard Col. John Newman, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Training Readiness and Mobilization (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) Aug. 17 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.