More detail on this person: Leonard A.
Gonzales, Lt. Col USAF (Ret), 87, died surrounded
by his loving family on Monday, March 13, 2017, in
Santa Maria, California. Leonard was the youngest
of three children, born August 30, 1929, in San
Gabriel, California to Joaquin and Aurora
Gonzales. Leonard is survived by his wife Mavi
Gonzales, and six daughters, Diana Lemke of San
Luis Obispo, Patricia Moffitt (Mitchell) of
Merritt Island, Florida, Mavi Ann Brockway
(Dennis) of Yorba Linda, Kathryn Fuerch (Wes) of
Santa Maria, Laura Weidemann (Fred) of Redlands,
Susan Hottinger (Ski) of Livermore and 15
grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. He is
predeceased by his father Joaquin, mother Aurora,
brother Henry and his sister Elvira.
While attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he
enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on November 9,
1950, and was a B29 Navigator Observer. He then
entered the Aviation Cadet Program. Leonard
earned an Associate in Arts from Santa Maria
Junior College (now known as Allan Hancock
College) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political
Science from the University of Maryland. He also
received a Master of Arts in School Counseling
from Chapman College and a Master of Public
Administration from California State University,
Bakersfield. He then pursued his Doctoral Degree
in the field of Economic studies.
Leonard served 21 years in the U. S. Air Force as
a pilot and retired in 1971. During his U.S. Air
Force career, he received four Distinguished
Flying Crosses, 10 Air Medals, two Vietnam
Crosses for Gallantry and one Silver Star with a
Palm. While on active duty in Vietnam as a
helicopter Gunship Commander, assigned to the
20th Special Operation Squadron, he was awarded
the Air Force Cross for extraordinary heroism for
the military operation near Duc Co, the Republic
of Vietnam on November 26, 1968. The military
operation was recently declassified and honored
with a permanent museum exhibit called "Miracle
on the River" at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Leonard was attributed with saving the lives of a
six-man Special Forces Long Range
Reconnaissance Patrol that was overrun by
well-armed hostile forces behind enemy lines. The
President of the United States of America
authorized the award of the Air Force Cross which
is the second highest military award for his
suburb airmanship, aggressiveness, and
extraordinary heroism.
Leonard was employed at Cal Poly San Luis
Obispo as the Relations with School Coordinator
from 1972 to 1985 where he encouraged and guided
many students, including his six daughters, to
aspire to a higher education. In 1985 he began his
employment at California State University,
Bakersfield as an Admissions Officer and Financial
Aid Counselor, until his retirement in 2000.
At the center of Leonard's life was his Catholic
faith where he volunteered on the Finance
committee and headed the hospitality ministry at
Saint John Neumann Catholic Church. Leonard also
was an active member of the Santa Maria Elks Club
where he served as a Greeter. Additionally, he was
very committed to improving his community through
the youth and served on the Board of Directors for
the Boys and Girls Club in Santa Maria,
California.
When asked what his greatest achievement of his
life was, Leonard replied that his love for his
wife, six daughters and their families guiding
them to a better life through education, and the
lasting sacrament of marriage to his beautiful and
loving wife, Mavi of 64 years. He was very humble
in his own success but was never silent about the
pride he had for his family's accomplishments.
We will always listen for his voice, pushing us to
be better than what is expected and pressing us
forward to the next chapter for more knowledge and
education. We will miss his unending guidance,
ready smile, and enthusiasm for life.
Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm on Friday, March
24, 2017, Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral
Home, 600 East Stowell Road, Santa Maria,
California, 93454. Mass at 9:30 am on Saturday,
March 25, 2017, will be held at Saint John
Neumann Catholic Church, 966 West Orchard,
Santa Maria, California, 93458. Procession to
1501 South College Drive, Santa Maria, California,
93454 immediately following Mass.
Published in Bakersfield Californian on Mar. 19,
2017
Sadly I pass along the news that Leonard (Len)
"Speedy" A. Gonzales made his final flight on 13
March 2017.
Len was a member of our "Green Hornet" family. An
Air Force Cross recipient for his participation as
a USAF UH-1P "Green Hornet" gunship pilot
involved in the 26 Nov. 1968 mission to rescue a
MACV SOG team in which the UH-1F slick pilot,
1st Lt. James P. Fleming was awarded the Medal of
Honor. This mission, known as "The Miracle On The
River" is depicted in the "Green Hornet" diorama
display in the National Museum Of The USAF in
Dayton, OH.
God rest the soul of Leonard A. Gonzales. God
comfort and protect the Gonzales family.
From: Jim Burns
Burial information: Santa Maria Cemetery, Santa Maria, CA
This information was last updated 03/29/2017
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