james robinson risner awards

The President of the United States, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Robinson Risner, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 3 and 4 April 1965. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. Fighting one MiG at nearly supersonic speeds at ground level, Risner pursued it down a dry riverbed and across low hills to an airfield 35 miles (56km) inside China. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel James Robinson Risner, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 31 October 1965 to 15 December 1965. Male. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. . (In reference to that remark, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, dedicated a nine-foot-tall statue of Risner in 2001.). Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! One Year After Saigon's Fall, Eight Ex-P.O.W.s Try to Cope with a Changing U.S. Obituary For: Brigadier General Robinson Risner, "USAF Weapons School Robbie Risner Award", "Nomination of United States Representatives and Alternate Representatives to the 40th Session of the United Nations General Assembly", Celebrated pilot and Vietnam POW dies at 88. He kept me. [32] He was a POW for seven years, four months, and 27 days. [22] Again he attempted to fly to the Gulf of Tonkin, but ejected when the aircraft, on fire, pitched up out of control. In February 2012 the Academy received a $3.5 million gift from The Perot Foundation to endow the General James R. Risner Senior Military Scholar at the center, who "will conduct research to advance the understanding, study and practice of the profession of arms, advise senior Academy leadership on the subject, and lead seminars, curriculum development, and classroom activities at the Academy. [26] Again he attempted to fly to the Gulf of Tonkin, but ejected when the aircraft, on fire, pitched up out of control. The retired brigadier general was 88-years-old. [10][13][14], Risner was commissioned into the Regular Air Force and assigned to the 50th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Clovis Air Force Base, New Mexico, in March 1953, where he became operations officer of the 81st Fighter Bomber Squadron. An identical casting, measuring four feet and weighing 300 pounds, was installed in the foyer of the USAF Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base in October 1984. He radioed Joe to shut down his engine. Brigadier Robinson Risner. U.S. Air Force. James R. Risner. [28][31], Risner spent more than three years in solitary confinement. For additional information: [8][10][11][n 3], On the return flight, Risner's wingman, 1st Lt. Joseph Logan, was struck in his fuel tanks by anti-aircraft fire over Antung. Fighting one MiG at nearly supersonic speeds at ground level, Risner pursued it down a dry riverbed and across low hills to an airfield 35 miles inside China. Portrait of General James Robinson Risner. The trophy is permanently displayed at the United States Air Force Academy, with each winner's name inscribed. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner : Rank, Service: Brigadier General O-7, U.S. Air Force. In a brief dogfight Risner shot down one to score his first "kill", on August 5, 1952. [19], On April 3 and 4, 1965, Risner acted as mission commander on two large missions attacking the Thanh Hoa Bridge in North Vietnam. The 30th FS was based on a primitive airstrip without permanent facilities at Aguadulce, on the Gulf of Panama. [21] Initial attempts to locate and destroy the SA-2 Guideline sites, known as Iron Hand missions, were both unsuccessful and costly. He somehow conveyed to his fellow POWs that it was the right thing to do in order to survive with dignity and honor. On one occasion, Risner became lost in the fringes of a hurricane on a flight to Brownsville, Texas. [7] Risner was often assigned to fly F-86E-10, AF serial no. Gen. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was part of that legendary . Robert V. "Boris" Baird was shot down on the opening pass and the mission was in danger of collapsing when Risner took charge. The strike force consisted of more than 100 F-105, F-100, and B-57 aircraft, and in the congested airspace, heavy anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire seriously disrupted its coordination and radio communications. In the course of the operation, Colonel Risner's unit encountered the first MIG force committed in aerial combat against the U.S. [10][14][15], Risner was commissioned into the Regular Air Force and assigned to the 50th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, New Mexico, in March 1953, where he became operations officer of the 81st Fighter Bomber Squadron. Fighting a serious fuel leak and a smoke-filled cockpit in addition to anti-aircraft fire from the ground, he again nursed his crippled aircraft to Danang. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. He was a close friend of the billionaire businessman and onetime presidential candidate H. Ross Perot, who commissioned a statue of Robinson Risner, which was installed at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, on November 16, 2001. [44] He later moved to Bridgewater, Virginia. About; Blog; Contact Us; . Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions: U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. James R. Risner. (Thompson and McLaren, p. 67). The use of Bullpups against the bridge had been completely ineffectual, resulting in the scheduling of a second mission the next day with 48 F-105s attacking the bridge without destroying it. He was among the first group of American prisoners released from captivity, on February 12, 1973, and pronounced himself ready to fly again after three good meals and a good nights sleep. Risner received the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal and the POW Medal for his actions while in captivity. Buried Arlington National Cemetery Allegiance United States Service/branch United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force Years of service 1943-1946 1951-1976 Rank On the initial attack, while exposing himself to heavy ground fire, with complete disregard for his personal safety, Colonel Risner's aircraft sustained a direct hit in the left forward bomb-bay area, filling the cockpit with smoke and fumes. The proud strains rang out of the 15-foot walls of the camp and reverberated outside in the streets of downtown Hanoi. Chawkins, Steve. In Vietnam, Risner was struck by enemy fire on four out of five consecutive missions, and he was shot down over the Gulf of Tonkin in March 1965. When a tribute gift is given the honoree will receive a letter acknowledging your generosity and a bookplate will be placed in a book. 2023 Encyclopedia of Arkansas. The flight of four F-86 Sabres launched and encountered 14 MiG-15s. Shot down again on September 16, 1965, he was captured and held as a. Martin, Douglas. In 1976, the Robbie Risner Award was created to recognize an air force weapons officer who makes the greatest combat impact in his or her first year after graduating from the Weapons Instructor Course at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. awards the Air Force Cross to Brigadier General Robinson Risner for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 31 October 1965 to 15 . James Robinson "Robbie" Risner (January 16, 1925 October 22, 2013) was a Brigadier General, fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, and a senior leader among U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. However, he refused to be diverted from his primary mission of completing the destruction of the assigned targets. He received his FIRST Air Force Cross when he was shot down and rescued, becoming the FIRST LIVING recipient of the new award. Risner was severely tortured for 32 days, resulting in him being coerced into confessing war crimes. On September 21, 1952, he shot down his fifth MiG. This page was last edited on 25 December 2022, at 21:40. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner (born January 16, 1925)[1] was a general officer and professional fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. Courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum. [35] He is also the first living recipient of this decoration. Heavy ground fire struck Risner's F-105 in its air intakes when he popped up over a hill to make his attack. [33][34], Risner was released in Operation Homecoming on 12 February 1973 and returned to the United States. The President of the United States, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Robinson Risner, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 3 and 4 April 1965. Others were tortured and never seen again. [25] Initial attempts to locate and destroy the SA-2 Guideline sites, known as Iron Hand missions, were both unsuccessful and costly. In July 1973 USAF assigned him to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, where he became combat ready in the F-4 Phantom II. [4] Risner worked numerous part-time jobs in his youth to help the family, including newspaper delivery, errand boy and soda jerk for a drug store,[3] for the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce at age 16, as a welder, and for his father polishing cars. Time magazine featured him on the cover of its April 23, 1965, issue, which highlighted a dozen Americans serving in Vietnam. Risner received two Silver Stars for his heroics and was one of only four airmen in history to receive more than one Air Force Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor for wartime heroism. Robinson Risner Dies at 88; Leader of Hanoi Hilton Prisoners. Los Angeles Times, October 30, 2013. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. [28] He was on his 55th combat mission at the time. Risner flew his aircraft behind his comrades crippled jet, nudging it forward with the nose of his plane in an attempt to help him to friendly territory. As a leader of the POWs, Risner set up committees, assigned tasks and helped set up communication systems through tapping, scraping walls and even coughing. He wrestled for Tulsa Central High School, where he graduated in 1942. He worked a series of jobs during his school years, contributing his earnings to the family funds. In October 1952 Risner was promoted to major and named operations officer of the 336th FIS. Risner stayed in radio contact with the rescue helicopter. After his military career, Risner lived for many years in Texas, where he was executive director of an anti-drug program. Awards: Air Force Cross (2) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Bronze Star (3 . Little Rock, AR. 16 of those carried AGM-12 Bullpup missiles, while another 30 carried eight 750-pound bombs each, half of which were designated for the railroad and highway bridge. You wouldnt be here.. He was previously married to Dorothy Miller Williams and Kathleen Shaw. Kiley, Frederick, and Rochester, Stuart I (1999). [7], Risner arrived in Korea on May 10, 1952, assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Kimpo Air Base. Returned to Hoa Loa Prison as punishment for disseminating behavior guidelines to the POWs under his nominal command, Risner was severely tortured for 32 days, culminating in his coerced signing of an apologetic confession for war crimes.[24][27]. On August 5, 1952, A flight of four F-86 Sabres launched and encountered 14 MiG-15s. In a brief dogfight, Risner shot down one to score his first aerial victory. [35], Publication of Risner's book led to a flap with American author and Vietnam war critic Mary McCarthy in 1974. Following being shot down a second time and then captured, his arrival in the old French dungeons of Hanoi began the trial of his life, but also the leadership role that would be his legacy. Following the war, in 1957, he was chosen to fly an F-100F Super Sabre to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of Charles Lindberghs ground-breaking transatlantic flight. In October, Robinson Risner was promoted to Major and named Operations Officer of the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. The meeting, described as "stilted",[30] resulted in an unflattering portrait of McCarthy in Risner's book, primarily because she failed to note scars and other evidence of torture he had made plain to her. Risner, in a battle damaged aircraft, diverted to Da Nang Air Base for landing. Were going to get through this, and Ill see you when its over., Using coded messages that could be passed with the flash of a hand or the whisk of the broom, Risner encouraged his several hundred fellow Americans at Hoa Lo to hang tough and resist until you are tortured but never lose your ability to think.. He was on his 55th combat mission at the time. U.S. Air Force Academy receives $3.5 million gift for Character and Leadership Development, The Brigadier General James Robinson Risner Squadron, Risner, James Robinson "Robbie" RIP 10/22/2013, Retired AF general was senior ranking POW at Hanoi Hilton, USAF photo of Risner during Operation Homecoming, "Eagle Biography: Robinson 'Robbie' Risner", Air University Gathering of Eagles, Dedication of the Risner statue at the Air Force Academy on November 16, 2001, Photograph of Risner statue and its sculptor, Lawrence Ludtke, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Robinson_Risner&oldid=1129520797, Central High School (Tulsa, Oklahoma) alumni, Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United States), Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States), United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II, United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War, Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States), United States Air Force personnel of the Korean War, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Honor or memorial gifts are an everlasting way to pay tribute to someone who has touched your life. Tragically, Joe Logan didn't make it; he became tangled in his parachute lines and drowned. He would participate in reunions of airmen, and at one in the 1990s he met a Russian MiG pilot who had served in Korea. Related Entries. Colonel Risner's actions not only deprived the communist force of its vital supply route and much needed equipment but further served to emphasize the high degree of U.S. determination in Southeast Asia. Campbell, John M., and Hill, Michael (1996). (Risner, p. 10; Campbell and Hill, p. 87), Ironically, Risner's portrait was featured that month in a, Kiernan said of McCarthy herself: "She just about always had the right position. Other articles related to "legacy ": X86 . He was the first living recipient of the . Subsequently, he served as commander of the 34th Fighter-Day Squadron, also at George Air Force Base. Once Risner determined that he was the senior ranking officer, he began to put structure and guidance into the POWs lives, a sense of order and community, the very thing their captors were trying desperately to prevent. Voices of the Vietnam POWs: Witnesses to Their Fight. Returned to Ha L Prison as punishment for disseminating behavior guidelines to the POWs under his nominal command, Risner was severely tortured for 32 days, culminating in his coerced signing of an apologetic confession for war crimes. second award of the air force cross " The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Cross to James Robinson Risner, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of . Correll, John T. Nine Feet Tall. Air Force Magazine, February 2012, pp. Risner noted to a biographer that his tour under these conditions amounted to as much flying as he desired but a distinct lack of discipline on the ground. On 1 August 1975, he became Vice Commander of the USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada and retired from the Air Force on 1 August 1976.[16]. While undergoing hospital treatment in the Army, he met his future wife Catherine Shaw (Kathleen Shaw), she was a nurse from Ware Shoals, South Carolina, Risner and Shaw got engaged on a ship and were discharged and married the next month. Risner in 1973 after being released as a POW by the North Vietnamese, Risner's call sign this date was "John Red Lead". [10] The Legend Of James Robinson Risner - F-86 Sabre Pilot. . [3] Risner worked numerous part-time jobs in his youth to help the family, including newspaper delivery, errand boy and soda jerk for a drug store,[1] for the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce at age 16, as a welder, and for his father polishing cars. "[47], Perot helped Risner to later become the Executive Director of the Texans' War on Drugs, and Risner was subsequently appointed by President Ronald Reagan as a United States Delegate to the fortieth session of the United Nations General Assembly. Risners first marriage ended in divorce. [6], On September 15, using the call sign "John Red Lead",[8] Risner's flight escorted F-84 Thunderjet fighter-bombers attacking a chemical plant on the Yalu River near the East China Sea. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower, in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Risner reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. The force had clear conditions but encountered a severe glare in the target area that made the bridge difficult to acquire for attacks with the Bullpups. In addition to replicating the Risner Award, the statue commemorates Risner and other POWs who were punished for holding religious services in their room at the Hanoi Hilton on February 7, 1971,[32] in defiance of North Vietnamese authorities. His autobiography, The Passing of the Night: My Seven Years as a Prisoner of the North Vietnamese, describes seven years of torture and mistreatment by the North Vietnamese. [48] He was also inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in November 1974 in recognition of his military service,[49] and announced as an inductee into the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame on November 1, 2013.[50]. He subsequently received training in the F-80 Shooting Star at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Person. The statue was made nine feet tall in memory of Risner's statement, commenting on his comrades singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America", that "I felt like I was nine feet tall and could go bear hunting with a switch. Risner is one of only four airmen with multiple awards of the Air Force Cross, a combat decoration second only to the Medal of Honor. He was a guiding presence, a behavior yardstick, and he managed to achieve this without direct contact. The nine-foot bronze statue of Robinson Risner, sculpted by Lawrence M. Ludtke and mounted on a five-foot pedestal of black granite, commemorates Risner and other POWs who were punished for holding religious services in their room at the Hanoi Hilton on February 7, 1971, in defiance of North Vietnamese authorities. Always it would make sense, be crisp and to the point. I did not ask God to take me out of it. Risner flew 108 missions in Korea and was credited with the destruction of eight MiG-15s, his final victory occurring January 21, 1953. After Vietnam, Risner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and returned to the pilots seat and commanded several fighter training programs before his retirement in 1976. The 30th FS was based on a primitive airstrip without permanent facilities at Aguadulce, on the Gulf of Panama. It was automatic, almost subconscious. He flew nearly every weekend, and on one occasion, became lost in the fringes of a hurricane on a flight to Brownsville, Texas. Special thanks to the Department of Arkansas Heritage. In June, when the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, also at Kimpo, sought experienced pilots, he arranged a transfer to 4th Fighter Wing. As a lieutenant colonel, Risner was the highest-ranking prisoner at Hoa Lo for most of the nearly eight years he was there and was subjected to particularly brutal treatment, being held in a darkened, solitary cell for three years and shackled for weeks at a time. Albert C. Vollmer, was rescued. Jet fuel and hydraulic fluid spewed out from the wounded Sabre. [19] After the last strike had been delivered, Risner and the two surviving members of his flight remained in the area, directing the search and rescue mission for Baird until their fuel ran low. [n 1] During their defense of the bombers, Risner's flight overflew the MiG base at Antung Airfield, China. [49][54][55] Risner was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on January 23, 2014. Lyndon B Johnson Cup. In August 1964, Lieutenant Colonel Risner took command of the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, an F-105D Thunderchief fighter-bomber unit based at Kadena AB, Okinawa, as part of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing. He also had his right arm ripped from its socket. His five sons had been ages 3 to 16 when he was shot down and imprisoned.[33]. He was captured and taken to the Hoa Lo Prisondubbed the Hanoi Hilton by its American prisonerswhere his captors waved the Time magazine in his face. [16], In August 1964, Lieutenant Colonel Risner took command of the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, an F-105D Thunderchief fighter-bomber unit based at Kadena AB, Okinawa, and part of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing. On 4 April, he again led an attacking force of fighter aircraft on a restrike against the same target. Subsequently, he served as commander of the 34th Fighter-Day Squadron, also at George Air Force Base. He died on October 22, 2013 in Bridgewater, Virginia, USA. [1][n 11], The USAF Weapons School Robbie Risner Award, created September 24, 1976, was donated by H. Ross Perot as a tribute to Risner and all Vietnam era Prisoners of War, and is administered by the Tactical Air Command (now by Air Combat Command). Required fields are marked *. Celebs. This project is funded in part by a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan grant award. Highlighted a dozen Americans serving in Vietnam from the wounded Sabre High School, where he graduated in 1942 to! And Rochester, Stuart I ( 1999 ) and held as a. Martin Douglas... Base, South Carolina highlighted a dozen Americans serving in Vietnam held as Martin! On the Gulf of Panama when he was a POW for seven years, four months, and Rochester Stuart! On October 22, 2013 in Bridgewater, Virginia seven years, contributing his to... Sons had been ages 3 to 16 when he was shot down one to score his ``. Rang out of the camp and reverberated outside in the fringes of a hurricane on a against. Victory occurring January 21, 1953 its April 23, 2014,.! 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[ 28 ] [ 34 ], Publication of Risner 's book led to a flap with author. Combined 163 combat missions, was shot down and rescued, becoming the first LIVING recipient this... Died on October 22, 2013 in Bridgewater, Virginia honoree will receive a acknowledging. Force Academy, with each winner & # x27 ; s name.... Leader of Hanoi Hilton prisoners crisp and to the family funds of a hurricane on primitive!
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