Vietnam
Air Force Pilot, lost over Vietnam, identified
Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Donald Downing was flying a reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam September 5, 1967, when his wingman described a “large, bright fireball” after which Downing’s plane went silent. U.S. Air Force Captain Donald W. Downing was assigned to the 557th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force in September […]
Valor Friday
Last week, as we wrapped up the dramatic rescue of Bat 21, I discussed the Medal of Honor earning heroics of Navy SEAL Lieutenant Thomas Norris. Norris received the Medal of Honor from President Ford in 1976, after having initially refused the award. He was presented with the medal at a White House ceremony where […]
Valor Friday
Where last we left Lieutenant Colonel Iceal “Gene” Hambleton and 1st Lieutenant Mark Clark they were trapped in South Vietnam, amidst the largest North Vietnamese Army (NVA) combined arms offensive of the war. It was April 5, 1972, and Hambleton had been alone on the ground for three days after being the lone survivor from […]
Biden awards seven Medals of Honor
When he’s not letting rapists and murderers off death row, Biden’s using his lame duck time to do something useful for once. Yesterday he upgraded seven awards (six DSCs and one Silver Star by my count) to the Medal of Honor. Five are from the Korean War and two from Vietnam. Only one of […]
Valor Friday
The kind grandfatherly visage of Lieutenant Colonel Iceal “Gene” Hambleton belies his true nature as a determined warrior and long-serving airman. The man who looks like he’d be at home in a library is in fact a veteran of three wars and dozens of combat missions in more than one aircraft type. If the name […]
How to play dumb and become a hero
April 6, 1977, the USS Canberra was cruising the Gulf of Tonkin and firing at targets on shore. Unbeknownst (always wanted to use that word) to the crew, a young sailor had been blown overboard by the muzzle blast from a 5 inch gun. Douglas Brent Hegdal was from South Dakota, and had never seen […]
Thursday closures
Closure, as in resolution. Today we have three: Monday, Captain Ronald Forrester was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery. He was originally listed as missing in action in Vietnam. “When daddy was shot down we were told not to give up hope,” said Karoni Forrester. But after years of waiting, Karoni’s hope was shattered […]
Valor Friday
We had a request from MustangCryppie that I highlight the actions of one Peter Lemon in the jungles of Vietnam. Lemon is unique in a few ways. He was Canadian-born, and is the only foreign born recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Vietnam. He was a volunteer, signing up to fight the […]
Recent Comments