Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 1993-12-22
Invested on: 1994-03-04
Colonel Leentjes served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations with United Nations Forces in Bosnia-Hercegovina from 1992 to 1993. The Operations division was responsible for directing and controlling the vast humanitarian effort in that war-torn country, despite appalling communications and very poor working conditions. Colonel Leentjes was a tower of strength in these efforts. He undertook enormous responsibilities and achieved truly remarkable results under difficult conditions. His trusted advice and personal staff work produced the military portion of the Vance-Owen Peace Plan, the concept for any eventual peace agreement.