Just_A_Mom
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- Jul 9, 2006
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Yesterday, President Obama posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard L Etchberger of Hamburg, PA for heroic actions on March 11, 1968:
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/09/air-force-etchberger-medal-of-honor-took-years-092110w/
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=250867
How wonderful his sons could be there. They grew up thinking their dad died in a helicopter crash and just assumed as young boys that everyone who was killed in a helicopter crash received the Air Force Cross. In 1983, the mission became declassified and their mom was able to tell them the truth.
This last leg was a long time coming and well deserved. RIP MSgt Etchberger.
The president of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded, in the name of the Congress, the Medal of Honor to Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism on March 11, 1968, in the country of Laos, while assigned to Ground Radar Superintendent, Detachment 1, 1043d Radar Evaluation Squadron.
On that day, Chief Etchberger and his team of technicians were manning a top-secret defensive position at Lima Site 85 when the base was overrun by an enemy ground force. Receiving sustained and withering heavy artillery attacks directly upon his unit's position, Chief Etchberger's entire crew lay dead or severely wounded. Despite having received little or no combat training, Chief Etchberger single-handedly held off the enemy with an M-16, while simultaneously directing airstrikes into the area and calling for air rescue. Because of his fierce defense and heroic and selfless actions, he was able to deny the enemy access to his position and save the lives of his remaining crew. With the arrival of the rescue aircraft, Chief Etchberger, without hesitation, repeatedly and deliberately risked his own life, exposing himself to heavy enemy fire in order to place three surviving wounded comrades into rescue slings hanging from the hovering helicopter waiting to airlift them to safety. With his remaining crew safely aboard, Chief Etchberger finally climbed into an evacuation sling himself, only to be fatally wounded by enemy ground fire as he was being raised into the aircraft.
Chief Etchberger's bravery and determination in the face of persistent enemy fire and overwhelming odds are in keeping with the highest standards of performance and traditions of military service. Chief Etchberger's gallantry, self-sacrifice, and profound concern for his fellow men at risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/09/air-force-etchberger-medal-of-honor-took-years-092110w/
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=250867
How wonderful his sons could be there. They grew up thinking their dad died in a helicopter crash and just assumed as young boys that everyone who was killed in a helicopter crash received the Air Force Cross. In 1983, the mission became declassified and their mom was able to tell them the truth.
This last leg was a long time coming and well deserved. RIP MSgt Etchberger.