“I wanted to see how you could sit in that little seat with balls as big as you’ve got.”

Generally, the USAF has the reputation of being the least “hardcore” of all of the armed services. No offense to any of our USAF brethren, but IMO that reputation is at least partly deserved. That shouldn’t really surprise anyone; a much smaller portion of the USAF directly and personally engages the enemy than the Army or USMC – or even the Navy. Proportionally more of the USAF is engaged in support. It takes a helluva lot of effort to keep those birds flying.

Still, some in the USAF do indeed personally go into harm’s way and engage. And some members of that service exhibit truly astonishing valor in combat. I’m about to relate a brief version of one such case, and link to a more detailed – and riveting – account. And in all of US military history, it is unique in two respects.

The story is that of Lt Col Joe Jackson, USAF. I won’t attempt to relate the whole story here; our friend Doug Sterner has covered that in great detail – and far better – than I ever could on his Home of Heroes website.
For full details, follow the link below to Doug’s website; the story is truly well-written, and transfixing. His story would be difficult to believe were it presented as fiction – but it’s the God’s honest truth.

Here are the bare bones of the story:

In Vietnam in 1968, MACV made the decision to abandon a particular base, Ap Bac Kham Duc. During the evacuation, three Airmen were inadvertently left behind. As the base area was literally being overrun by hostile forces, multiple attempts were made to rescue these three individuals. All but the last of these efforts were unsuccessful, resulting in numerous US casualties.

During the last failed rescue attempt, Lt Col Jackson was literally flying a routine mail delivery mission in a C-123. Hearing the last failed attempt on the radio, and realizing that he was likely his three brothers-in-arms last hope, Lt Col Jackson went to Ap Bac Kham Duc, combat landed his C-123 under fire, and rescued the three who’d been left behind.

The unique aspects? Here’s the first: it’s the only MOH action for which photographic evidence of the actual heroic act exists. An aerial photo was taken of Lt Col Jackson’s aircraft while on the ground at Ap Bac Kham Duc during the rescue.

The second? This MOH action yielded what is perhaps the ultimate compliment ever given from one warrior to another. That compliment is the title to this article. It was delivered to Lt Col Jackson by one of the men he’d rescued – Sgt Jim Lundie, USAF. It was delivered after Sgt Lundie had just spent 3 days on the ground, surrounded by enemy, hiding and/or running for his life, expecting at any moment to die or be captured. Sgt Lundie visited the cockpit of Lt Col Jackson’s plane while en route back to base after being rescued. He delivered that compliment then and there, spontaneously, in person.

After reading the detailed account of the rescue, I kinda wonder the same.

Doing this in any aircraft would be an amazing feat of both flying ability and courage. However, I’ve flown in a C-123. Doing this in a freaking C-123. . . . well, let’s just say that IMO Sergeant Lundie was absolutely on target with his compliment.

Again, Doug tells the story on his website better than I can. It’s definitely worthwhile to take the time and read his article.

This happened on May 12, 1968 – Mother’s Day. I guess you could call it a Mother’s Day present from Lt Col Jackson to the mothers of those he rescued. And tomorrow this Sunday is Mother’s Day 2012 – 44 years later.

As of this writing, this American hero is still alive. Kudos, Colonel Jackson. Kudos.

Category: Air Force