Whiteman Spirit Award

  • Published
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AFB, Mo. --  Senior Airman David Leonard, 509th Maintenance Squadron, received the Whiteman Spirit Award from Brig. Gen. Greg Biscone, 509th Bomb Wing commander, July 30. 

Maj. Mary Teeter, 509th MXS commander, nominated Airman Leonard for the award. 

Airman Leonard responded to a critical situation that helped ensure the safety of a Missouri Veterans Home resident, in Warrensburg, Mo, May 30. 

"David rescued a veteran who had fallen out of his wheelchair in a secluded area behind our facility," said Richard Welch, Missouri Veterans Home assistant administrator. "This resident had been alone and lying in the mud. David hurried from his home, barefoot in the mud, to answer the veteran's cry for help." 

Airman Leonard ensured the veteran's safety by helping him back into his wheelchair and called for help, Mr. Welch said. 

"Because of his vigilance, immediate action and selflessness, he has made a tremendous impression to the resident who was in distress, his family the Missouri Veterans Home staff and his community," Mr. Welch said. 

He was formally recognized July 9, at the Warrensburg City Hall, by the chief of police as an exemplary citizen of Warrensburg. 

Go-by name: Dave

Duty Title: Egress journeyman

Time on Station: 3 years, 7 months, 11 days

Time in Service: 5 years, 10 months, 23 days

Hometowns: Nacogdoches,Texas

Spouse: Whitney Diane Leonard

Children: Anessa 7, Devin 4, Parris 3, One on the way!

Hobbies: Art, basketball, car audio, computers. Combining computers and art together for automotive use.

Goals: Stay fit, make sure my spouse and children are happy and to make a difference. 

Best thing about Whiteman: I like what Whiteman represents for U.S. air power, its strategic purpose and location. The B-2 is an excellent platform for providing the awesome force needed for us to remain the worlds greatest superpower, and I am very proud to be a part of it and maintain it on a daily basis!

Pet Peeves: Lack of integrity, people who don't abide by the core values instilled in us.

What motivates your winning spirit? The people I work with on a daily basis, the supervision that I work for and knowing that together we get the mission accomplished.

If you could change one thing about Whiteman, what would it be? Actually I like Whiteman just the way it is, however, more car shows would be a plus.