Leon F. Rauch

(continued from pages 1 and 2)

On 17 November 1968 Leon was back in Vietnam with a SEAL detachment; however, he was independently assigned to work with the Provincial Reconnaissance Units (PRU) in Kien Giang Province, IV Corps Tactical Zone. Leon relieved ENC Frank Flynn, who also was another individual that had been in UDT-11 and worked with the SEAL Team ONE Training Cadre. They had a ceremonious reunion and relief. It was less than a month after arriving in country and Leon and his PRUs were really making their presence known in IV Corps. On the 7th of December 1968, Leon and 39 PRUs were helo-lifted into Kien Binh District on a mission to attack a Viet Cong District Headquarters.

"Immediately, the unit came under heavy automatic weapons, and small arms fire from a company-sized Viet Cong force. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, BM1 Rauch moved to an exposed position on a canal bank directly across from the enemy bunkers, where he directed gun ship strikes just 50 meters from his position. Rauch then organized the remainder of his force and led them as they charged across the canal to remove pressure on the pinned down element. While still receiving intense enemy fire, he ran past two enemy bunkers to provide assistance to two wounded men. He called in additional air strikes, some as close as 30 meters to his position, until the enemy guns were silenced. His valiant and courageous example contributed significantly to the successful defeat of a numerically superior enemy force. RAUCH's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Advisory efforts in the Republic of Vietnam."

Leon was awarded the Silver Star for the Kien Binh mission. He and his PRUs continued to inflict heavy damage upon the VC; needless to say, the PRUs held Leon in great esteem and a place of honor in their district. He returned to the Strand on 14 May 1969, and little more than one year later, and now a Chief Petty Officer, he was back in Vietnam, this time operating independently with the Kit Carson Scouts (KCS). He was stationed at ATSB, SOLID ANCHOR.

On the early morning of 25 September 1970, Vietnamese River Patrol Craft were hit with enemy water mines. After the first explosion, Rauch ran from his quarters to the waterfront. He and three other men got into an LSSC and proceeded to an ALFA boat, which was on fire and sinking while drifting downstream with wounded personnel aboard. Once aboard he directed two men to aid the wounded while he proceeded forward to try to control the craft's movements. Crawling through a small opening he entered the unfamiliar, and smoke-filled cockpit. After feeling for several switches he finally succeeded in starting the engines. Because he could not see he positioned one man outside to call down directions while he piloted the craft. Although in imminent danger from two fires on board, both of which were near live ammunition and explosives, and in a darkened, smoke-filled compartment where he couldn't see and could hardly breathe, Rauch, with complete disregard for his own safety, guided the boat ashore, thus preventing her from sinking. Shutting down the engines, he then ran aft and helped extinguish one fire. Rauch's completely unselfish and heroic actions, his quick and sure judgments were directly responsible for saving the ALFA boat and the lives of two Vietnamese sailors. Leon received the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for this action. The very next day, 26 September 1970, he was to be involved in yet another harrowing experience for which he was presented a "Gold Star in lieu of the second SILVER STAR MEDAL."

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam on 26 September 1970. While attached to SEAL Team ONE, Detachment GOLF, Chief Petty Officer RAUCH was acting as the patrol leader for a 14-man SEAL-Kit Carson Scout operation whose mission was to disrupt an enemy training camp located deep in Viet Cong controlled territory. After leading the patrol over four kilometers in sampans along a narrow stream, part of which was lined with booby traps, his small unit stealthily approached their objective. As they closed in on the nearest shelters, contact with the enemy was made and his group was taken under fire. Realizing that his small force was virtually surrounded, he deployed his men in a defensive perimeter for the next twenty-five minutes. The patrol, unable to achieve radio or visual communications, remained in this position fighting off the enemy. Chief Petty Officer RAUCH, although under intense fire and with painful gunshot and shrapnel head wounds, continually shifted his position to more effectively employ his weapon and relocate and encourage his men. Realizing that the small patrol would have to fight their way out, he ordered them to withdraw. Repeatedly exposing himself to the withering enemy fire and grenade explosions, he directed the patrol's fire and movements while providing cover fire for the wounded. When communications were finally achieved, he again deployed his men in a defensive perimeter to cover the evacuation of the wounded men. Upon the arrival of the helicopter, he unhesitatingly assisted by swimming to mid-stream with the wounded where a hovering helicopter was waiting. Chief Petty Officer RAUCH's devotion to duty, courage under fire, exemplary professionalism and inspirational selflessness were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Leon returned to Coronado on 15 December 1970 and picked up training with the Cadre and also worked in the armory. CPO Rauch was always trying to improve himself and the Team by attending professional train schools whenever he got the chance and the following are some of the training schools he attended:

• UDT Replacement Training (1960)
• Jump School (October 1962)
• Navigation
• Assault Boat Coxswain
• Instructor School
• SEAL Tactical Training (1964)
• Map Reading Quick Kill School (1965)
• Spanish Language
• Jungle Warfare (Panama)
• Vietnamese Language
• Combat Free Fall
• Military Ski School (Alaska)
• Survival School
• Field Medicine
• Navy Recruiter School
• Judo School
• Special Weapons School (Ft. Bragg)
• Smith and Wesson Weapons
• Repair Maintenance
• Personnel Management

Throughout his career, Leon had spent a tremendous amount of time away from home. He began to feel it was time to devote more time to his wife and son (Eric). He applied for recruiting duty, a two-fold mission - one was to be with his family, and secondly to improve recruiting for the UDTRA program. He detached from SEAL Team and went to NTC San Diego, CA on 7 July 1971. Upon completion of recruiters training he received orders to NAVSTA Pearl Harbor. This was his first shore duty tour since reporting to the USS BUCK (DD 761).

His shore duty was a time of frustration. His wife, Sue, (who was one of SEAL Team's most supporting wives and had endured all of the deployments and separation, was a mother hen to many of the other wives) suffered a miscarriage and was in the hospital, and Leon was trying to get established as a Canvasser Recruiter. It was a rough time for the family. After about a year of shore duty, the call of the Teams became stronger and stronger. Leon requested termination of his recruiting duties and returned to SEAL Team ONE on 18 September 1972, and was soon on the way to Alaska for winter warfare training at the U. S. Army Northern Warfare Training Center at Fort Greely, Alaska. While there, he seriously injured his knee, which was to bother him the rest of his life.

Leon transferred to Naval Special Warfare Group ONE on 30 September 1975 and spent the last two years of military service there. He was active in the continued training of the Special Warfare Community and running the rifle range. He gave briefings and indoctrination to Rotary Clubs and visiting dignitaries and continued to instruct instinct firing.

Leon began to experience medical problems with his knee and other past injuries. He had surgery on his knee but continued to be in extreme pain. He decided it was time to hang it up and put in his papers for retirement. Leon retired from the U. S. Navy on 11 June 1977 with 50% disability. At his retirement ceremony, Captain J. E. O'Drain summarized Leon in the following way:

"He served seven combat tours in the Republic of Vietnam. During four of these tours he occupied the position of independent duty advisor to various paramilitary groups. His courage and performance during these combat tours earned him seven individual awards: Two Silver Stars, Two Bronze Stars, Two Purple Hearts, and a Navy Commendation Medal. His excellent leadership was evidenced by his assignment to such key positions of responsibility as Platoon Petty Officer and Platoon Chief Petty Officer. Throughout his career he was frequently tasked to instruct paramilitary groups as well as other UDT and SEAL operational personnel in any number of Naval Special Warfare skills. By far, his strongest subject was the area of small arms, in particular instinctive firing with rifle and pistol, a skill he acquired at a U. S. Army School in 1965. Chief Rauch was an invaluable member of the Naval Special Warfare community, and he is most highly recommended for any future assignment or career that requires exceptional professionalism and dedication to duty."

Leon also received the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (4), Armed Force Expeditionary Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal (7), National Defense Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation (3).

What distinguished Leon Rauch was his attitude to do the best and to be the best. He put his life on the line on numerous occasions. He never dodged a mission or missed a party. Leon Rauch was the epitome of a true SEAL- HELL IN THE FIELD AND RAISING HELL ON THE BEACH!

Services were held for Leon Rauch on 29 November 1995 at Turner Field, NAB, Coronado, California.

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