Page 5 - Memorial Day 2021 - Combined Special Edition of Luke AFB Thunderbolt and Davis-Monthan AFB Desert Lightning News

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honoR (from Page 4) scheduled to be attacked by fighter bombers North Vietnamese soldiers, Sijan was taken sighted in the area. Thorsness immediately
initiated an attack and destroyed the MIG.
Air Force Medal of Honor recipients berries and uncooked frogs. He successfully flight. In the initial attack on the defensive to a holding point for subsequent transfer to Because his aircraft was low on fuel, he was
immediately after the strike by Dethlefsen’s
a prisoner-of-war camp. In his emaciated and
evaded enemy patrols and reached the Ben
forced to depart the area in search of a
complex the lead aircraft was crippled, and
Hai River, where he encountered U.S. artillery Dethlefsen’s aircraft was extensively damaged crippled condition, he overpowered one of his tanker. Upon being advised that two helicop-
guards and crawled into the jungle, only to be
barrages. With the aid of a bamboo log float, by the intense enemy fire. Realizing that the recaptured after several hours. He was then ters were orbiting over the downed crew’s
— From the Vietnam War — Day swam across the river and entered the success of the impending fighter bomber at- transferred to another prison camp where he position and that there were hostile MIGs in
the area posing a serious threat to the heli-
demilitarized zone. Due to delirium, he lost his
sense of direction and wandered aimlessly for tack on the center now depended on his abil- was kept in solitary confinement and inter- copters, Thorsness, despite his low fuel condi-
rogated at length. During interrogation, he
ity to effectively suppress the defensive fire,
1966: the full length of the runway, which was lit- orderly fashion. Through his personal efforts, suffered 80 percent casaulties as their perim- several days. After several unsuccessful at- Dethlefsen ignored the enemy’s overwhelming was severely tortured; however, he did not tion, decided to return alone through a hostile
tered with battle debris and parts of an ex- the evacuation of the wounded was greatly eter was breached, and Pitsenbarger was fa- tempts to signal U.S. aircraft, he was am- firepower and the damage to his aircraft and divulge any information to his captors. Sijan environment of surface-to-air missile and
Maj. Bernard F. Fisher, ploded aircraft. While effecting a successful expedited. As each of the nine casualties tally wounded. Pitsenbarger exposed himself bushed and recaptured by the Viet Cong, pressed his attack. Despite a continuing hail lapsed into delirium and was placed in the care antiaircraft defenses to the downed crew’s
1st Air Commandos; Bien rescue of the downed pilot, heavy ground fire evacuated that day was recovered, Pitsen- to almost certain death by staying on the sustaining gunshot wounds to his left hand of antiaircraft fire, deadly surface-to-air mis- of another prisoner. During his intermittent position. As he approached the area, he spot-
Hoa and Pleiku, Republic was observed, with 19 bullets striking his barger refused evacuation in order to get more ground, and perished while saving the lives of and thigh. He was returned to the prison from siles, and counterattacks by MIG interceptors, periods of consciousness until his death, he ted four MIG-17 aircraft and immediately
of Vietnam, “On that date, aircraft. In the face of withering ground fire, wounded soldiers to safety. After several pick- wounded infantrymen.” which he had escaped and later was moved to Dethlefsen flew repeated close-range strikes never complained of his physical condition and, initiated an attack on the MIGs, damaging
the Special Forces camp at he applied power and gained enough speed to ups, one of the two rescue helicopters involved Hanoi after giving his captors false informa- to silence the enemy defensive positions with on several occasions, spoke of future escape one and driving the others away from the
A Shau was under attack lift-off at the overrun of the airstrip.” in the evacuation was struck by heavy enemy 1967: tion to questions put before him. Physically, bombs and cannon fire. His action in rendering attempts.” rescue scene. When it became apparent that
by 2,000 North Vietnamese ground fire and was forced to leave the scene Day was totally debilitated and unable to ineffective the defensive SAM and antiaircraft an aircraft in the area was critically low on
Army regulars. Hostile Airman 1st Class William for an emergency landing. Pitsenbarger stayed Maj. George everette perform even the simplest task for himself. artillery sites enabled the ensuing fighter Maj. Leo K. Thorsness, fuel and the crew would have to abandon the
troops had positioned themselves between the H. Pitsenbarger , behind on the ground to perform medical du- “Bud” Day, Misty Super Despite his many injuries, he continued to bombers to strike successfully the important 357th Tactical Fighter aircraft unless they could reach a tanker,
airstrip and the camp. Other hostile troops had Detachment 6, 38th Aero- ties. Shortly thereafter, the area came under FAC’s F-100 Squadron, offer maximum resistance.” industrial target without loss or damage to Squadron, 355th Tactical Thorsness, although critically short on fuel
surrounded the camp and were continuously space Rescue and Recovery sniper and mortar fire. During a subsequent Phu Cat Air Base; over their aircraft, thereby appreciably reducing Fighter Wing; over North himself, helped to avert further possible loss
raking it with automatic-weapons fire from Squadron; near Cam My, attempt to evacuate the site, American forces North Vietnam, “Day was Capt. Merlyn H. Dethlef- the enemy’s ability to provide essential war Vietnam, “As pilot of an of life and a friendly aircraft by recovering at
the surrounding hills. The tops of the 1,500-foot Republic of Vietnam, “Pit- came under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong forced to eject from his sen, 354th Tactical Fighter material.” F-105 aircraft, Thorsness a forward operating base, thus allowing the
hills were obscured by an 800-foot ceiling, senbarger was aboard a force. When the enemy launched the assault, aircraft over North Viet- Squadron, Takhli Royal was on a surface-to-air mis- aircraft in emergency fuel condition to refuel
limiting aircraft maneuverability and forcing rescue helicopter respond- the evacuation was called off and Pitsen- nam when it was hit by Thai Air Force Base, Thai- Capt. Lance P. Sijan, 480th sile suppression mission safely.”
pilots to operate within range of hostile gun ing to a call for evacuation of casualties in- barger took up arms with the besieged infan- ground fire. His right arm was broken in three land; Thai Nguyen, North Tactical Fighter Squadron, over North Vietnam. Thorsness and his wing-
positions, which often were able to fire down curred in an ongoing firefight between ele- trymen. He courageously resisted the enemy, places, and his left knee was badly sprained. Vietnam, “Dethlefsen was Da Nang Air Force Base; man attacked and silenced a surface-to-air Capt. Hilliard A. Wil-
on attacking aircraft. During the battle, ments of the United States Army’s 1st Infantry braving intense gunfire to gather and distrib- He was immediately captured by hostile one of a flight of F-105 air- Ban Loboy Ford and Ban missile site with air-to-ground missiles, and banks, 21st Tactical Air
Fisher observed a fellow airman crash land on Division and a sizeable enemy force approxi- ute vital ammunition to American defenders. forces and taken to a prison camp where he craft engaged in a fire sup- Kari Pass, and Hoa Lo Pris- then destroyed a second surface-to-air missile Support Squadron, Nha
the battle-torn airstrip. In the belief that the mately 35 mile east of Saigon. With complete As the battle raged on, he repeatedly exposed was interrogated and severely tortured. After pression mission designed to destroy a key on, Laos and North Viet- site with bombs. In the attack on the second Trang Air Force Base, Viet-
downed pilot was seriously injured and in im- disregard for personal safety, Pitsenbarger himself to enemy fire to care for the wounded, causing the guards to relax their vigilance, Day antiaircraft defensive complex containing nam, “While on a flight over missile site, Thorsness’ wingman was shot nam; near Dalat, Republic
minent danger of capture, Fisher announced volunteered to ride a hoist more than one pulled them out of the line of fire, and return escaped into the jungle and began the trek surface-to-air missiles (SAM), an exception- North Vietnam, Sijan eject- down by intensive antiaircraft fire, and the of Vietnam, “As a forward
his intention to land on the airstrip to effect a hundred feet through the jungle, to the ground. fire whenever he could, during which time he toward South Vietnam. Despite injuries in- ally heavy concentration of antiaircraft artil- ed from his disabled aircraft and successfully two crewmembers abandoned their aircraft. air controller Wilbanks
rescue. Although aware of the extreme danger On the ground, he organized and coordinated was wounded three times. Despite his wounds, flicted by fragments of a bomb or rocket, he lery, and other automatic weapons. The defen- evaded capture for more than six weeks. Dur- Thorsness circled the descending parachutes was pilot of an unarmed,
and likely failure of such an attempt, he rescue efforts, cared for the wounded, prepared he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating continued southward, surviving only on a few sive network was situated to dominate the ing this time, he was seriously injured and to keep the crewmembers in sight and relay light aircraft flying visual reconnaissance
elected to continue. Directing his own air casualties for evacuation, and insured that the as many wounded as possible. In the vicious approach and provide protection to an impor- suffered from shock and extreme weight loss their position to the Search and Rescue Cen- ahead of a South Vietnam Army Ranger
cover, he landed his aircraft and taxied almost recovery operation continued in a smooth and fighting that followed, the American forces See honoR, Page 5 tant North Vietnam industrial center that was due to lack of food. After being captured by ter. During this maneuver, a MIG-17 was See honoR, Page 10

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