Thursday, March 28, 2019

Who They Are, Part X - Five Medals of Honor, Five Warriors

Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale
23 Dec 1923 - 05 Jul 2005
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while senior naval officer in the Prisoner of War camps of North Vietnam. Recognized by his captors as the leader in the Prisoners' of War resistance to interrogation and in their refusal to participate in propaganda exploitation, Rear Adm. Stockdale was singled out for interrogation and attendant torture after he was detected in a covert communications attempt. Sensing the start of another purge, and aware that his earlier efforts at self-disfiguration to dissuade his captors from exploiting him for propaganda purposes had resulted in cruel and agonizing punishment, Rear Adm. Stockdale resolved to make himself a symbol of resistance regardless of personal sacrifice. He deliberately inflicted a near-mortal wound to his person in order to convince his captors of his willingness to give up his life rather than capitulate. He was subsequently discovered and revived by the North Vietnamese who, convinced of his indomitable spirit, abated in their employment of excessive harassment and torture toward all of the Prisoners of War. By his heroic action, at great peril to himself, he earned the everlasting gratitude of his fellow prisoners and of his country. Rear Adm. Stockdale's valiant leadership and extraordinary courage in a hostile environment sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Brigadier General Joseph J. Foss
17 Apr 1915 – 01 Jan 2003
Citation
For outstanding heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as executive officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 121, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, at Guadalcanal. Engaging in almost daily combat with the enemy from 9 October to 19 November 1942, Capt. Foss personally shot down 23 Japanese planes and damaged others so severely that their destruction was extremely probable. In addition, during this period, he successfully led a large number of escort missions, skillfully covering reconnaissance, bombing, and photographic planes as well as surface craft. On 15 January 1943, he added 3 more enemy planes to his already brilliant successes for a record of aerial combat achievement unsurpassed in this war. Boldly searching out an approaching enemy force on 25 January, Capt. Foss led his 8 F-4F Marine planes and 4 Army P-38's into action and, undaunted by tremendously superior numbers, intercepted and struck with such force that 4 Japanese fighters were shot down and the bombers were turned back without releasing a single bomb. His remarkable flying skill, inspiring leadership, and indomitable fighting spirit were distinctive factors in the defense of strategic American positions on Guadalcanal.
Captain Lance P. Sijan
13 Apr 1942 – 22 Jan 1968
Citation
While on a flight over North Vietnam, Capt. Sijan ejected from his disabled aircraft and successfully evaded capture for more than 6 weeks. During this time, he was seriously injured and suffered from shock and extreme weight loss due to lack of food. After being captured by North Vietnamese soldiers, Capt. Sijan was taken to a holding point for subsequent transfer to a prisoner of war camp. In his emaciated and crippled condition, he overpowered 1 of his guards and crawled into the jungle, only to be recaptured after several hours. He was then transferred to another prison camp where he was kept in solitary confinement and interrogated at length. During interrogation, he was severely tortured; however, he did not divulge any information to his captors. Capt. Sijan lapsed into delirium and was placed in the care of another prisoner. During his intermittent periods of consciousness until his death, he never complained of his physical condition and, on several occasions, spoke of future escape attempts. Capt. Sijan's extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Armed Forces.
Brigadier General* George E."Bud" Day
24 Feb 1925 – 27 Jul 2013
Citation
On 26 August 1967, Col. Day was forced to eject from his aircraft over North Vietnam when it was hit by ground fire. His right arm was broken in 3 places, and his left knee was badly sprained. He was immediately captured by hostile forces and taken to a prison camp where he was interrogated and severely tortured. After causing the guards to relax their vigilance, Col. Day escaped into the jungle and began the trek toward South Vietnam. Despite injuries inflicted by fragments of a bomb or rocket, he continued southward surviving only on a few berries and uncooked frogs. He successfully evaded enemy patrols and reached the Ben Hai River, where he encountered U.S. artillery barrages. With the aid of a bamboo log float, Col. Day swam across the river and entered the demilitarized zone. Due to delirium, he lost his sense of direction and wandered aimlessly for several days. After several unsuccessful attempts to signal U.S. aircraft, he was ambushed and recaptured by the Viet Cong, sustaining gunshot wounds to his left hand and thigh. He was returned to the prison from which he had escaped and later was moved to Hanoi after giving his captors false information to questions put before him. Physically, Col. Day was totally debilitated and unable to perform even the simplest task for himself. Despite his many injuries, he continued to offer maximum resistance. His personal bravery in the face of deadly enemy pressure was significant in saving the lives of fellow aviators who were still flying against the enemy. Col. Day's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Armed Forces.
Colonel Leo K. Thorsness
14 Feb 1932 – 02 May 2017
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As pilot of an F- 105 aircraft, Lt. Col. Thorsness was on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission over North Vietnam. Lt. Col. Thorsness and his wingman attacked and silenced a surface-to-air missile site with air-to-ground missiles, and then destroyed a second surface-to-air missile site with bombs. In the attack on the second missile site, Lt. Col. Thorsness' wingman was shot down by intensive antiaircraft fire, and the 2 crewmembers abandoned their aircraft. Lt. Col. Thorsness circled the descending parachutes to keep the crewmembers in sight and relay their position to the Search and Rescue Center. During this maneuver, a MiG-17 was sighted in the area. Lt. Col. Thorsness immediately initiated an attack and destroyed the MiG. Because his aircraft was low on fuel, he was forced to depart the area in search of a tanker. Upon being advised that 2 helicopters were orbiting over the downed crew's position and that there were hostile MiGs in the area posing a serious threat to the helicopters, Lt. Col. Thorsness, despite his low fuel condition, decided to return alone through a hostile environment of surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft defenses to the downed crew's position. As he approached the area, he spotted 4 MiG-17 aircraft and immediately initiated an attack on the MiGs, damaging 1 and driving the others away from the rescue scene. When it became apparent that an aircraft in the area was critically low on fuel and the crew would have to abandon the aircraft unless they could reach a tanker, Lt. Col. Thorsness, although critically short on fuel himself, helped to avert further possible loss of life and a friendly aircraft by recovering at a forward operating base, thus allowing the aircraft in emergency fuel condition to refuel safely. Lt. Col. Thorsness' extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice, and personal bravery involving conspicuous risk of life were in the highest traditions of the military service, and have reflected great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.

I decided to let their actions speak for them, there isn't much I could say beyond what those five citations for those five Medals of Honor say. After reading through those five citations, I was moved. I will also say that my oldest daughter, The Nuke, went to a talk given by then-Colonel Day. She was deeply impressed and she does not impress easily.

Great honor to their memories, may we never forget them.



* Posthumously advanced to the rank of Brigadier General effective 27 Mar 2018 as directed by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.

36 comments:

  1. Yes Sarge, no more words are needed. God Bless these warriors.

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  2. Wait... *James Bond* Stockdale? Was he in the Naval Reserve, too?

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    1. I always got a kick out of the name.

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    2. I’m in the preliminary planning stages for a visit to this shindig (I have a flight certificate to hopefully cash in.). Seems like a reasonable day trip from Hudson where my brother lives. Not sure about from Bristol, since there’s a Narragansett in the way?

      http://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/d-day-squadron-depart-oxford-ct-may-19th.html?sfns=mo

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    3. Definitely a do-able thing!

      Marking m calendar for that one!

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    4. They’re doing the tourist flights on Saturday the 18th, so that’s when I’ll be there for certain. Though, it might be cool to also see them all take off to head overseas on Sunday...

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  3. Replies
    1. God's did it with a Wilcat, and an early model, at that! Pre FM2 Wildercat. A very brave, skilled man, indeed!

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    2. Is there any way to correct that to " And he did that"?

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    3. Unfortunately no, Blogger has no correction capability.

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    4. If you sign up for Blogger, even if you don't actually publish a blog, it will give you the ability to delete a comment. When doing so, copy it first and then delete, and then go back and open up the comment field, paste the old comment, fix your mistake, and then repost.

      That is the only way I've found to edit.

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  4. When I read those citations I am reminded that James A. Michener said it all in the closing sentence of The Bridges at Toko Ri. Where do we get men such as these? Where indeed? But thank God that we do!

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  5. Great post. Fun fact, my local airport (KFSD) is named for General Foss, who was also the commanding officer for our local ANG squadron during its formative years. There’s a model of his Wildcat hanging in the airport cafe,

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    1. Couple of nice birds outside as well!

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    2. Absolutely! Sadly fenced off now where mere civilians can’t get close, but I was told that back in the day, those were popular backdrops for senior pictures and other such high school memories.

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    3. Dang, I hate it when that happens.

      Vandals = why we can't have nice things.

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    4. Vandals always prey on a lax or weak society.... Sigh.

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  6. It is amazing to hear stories of fierce resistance even to death, when others broke so easily. In the book "The Raid," about the Son Tay Prison Raid, the author, using both US and Viet sources, basically said that men like these are what forced North Vietnam to consolidate all their prisoners and start treating them somewhat better.

    I totally agree with StB, total Badger Paw Salute. Great men, all. Totally amazing, even during this Lenten season, the strength and power of the human spirit.

    Keep 'em coming.

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    1. Only three left.

      I am working on that new page which will include all those folks on the masthead plus I'll be adding new people to that. We will be taking reader suggestions for that.

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  7. All I can say is that I'm in awe of these men.

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  8. What great stories about true heroes. Their lives should be honored by all, but sadly, some will never hear.

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    Replies
    1. I wish that these guys would be known by every American. Their example shines brightly, their sacrifices need to be remembered.

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  9. Wouldn't it make a great series on the History Channel or the Smithsonian Channel to do a program on each Medal Of Honor recipient? They celebrate Women's Month, and Black History Month...why not MoH month??

    These gentlemen are true patriots, fighting for the best in America...Sadly, I guess I answered my own question...Which is just...sad...

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  10. Another from WWII. Charles Mohrle, WWII Fighter Pilot.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo_irQ9bjzU

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