Lieutenant Colonel
Robert E. Leiendecker

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Leiendecker joined the Army in 1964 following graduation from Bowling Green State University. After completing the Ordnance Basic Officer course and a tour of Japan, he attended Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) School at Fort McClellan, Alabama and Indian Head, Maryland.

In 1969, he became Commander of the 336th EOD section stationed at Danang Air Base. During this assignment, he conducted EOD responsibilities for the April 27, 1969 ammunition explosion at Danang Air Base, in which more than 20,000 tons of ammunition exploded due to negligence. In 1970, he commanded the 85th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) at Pleiku for his second tour in Vietnam and was responsible for EOD duties in the Central Highlands.

Following his return, he took command of the 67th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) stationed at Fort McNair. Responsible for EOD support to the Secret Service and their mission of safeguading the President and other VIPs in Washington D.C. and international locations to which they travelled.

Upon completion of an assignment as an instructor at Redstone Arsenal, LTC Leiendecker went to Camp Caset, Korea as the Division Ammunition Officer for the 2nd Infantry Division. His final assignment was with the Navy EOD Technology Center where he sat on the final acceptance board for EOD publications for Army and Navy units.

LTC Leiendecker's commitment to EOD did not end with his military retirement in 1984. He began a 22-year career at the National Ground Intelligence Center as an analyst and became the recognized expert in military ordnance and explosive devices, travelling internationally advising foreign governments and publishing numerous articles and documents on military ordnance for the U.S. military. Currently, he serves as the historian for the National EOD Association and is a subject matter expert on the EOD field and its history.