Pain......
 

UH663-611. March 11, 1968.

? Killed during rescue:
CMSgt. Richard L. Etchberger.

? Killed in action/body not recovered:
Lt. Col. Clarence F. Blanton
MSgt. James H. Calfee
TSgt. Melvin A. Holland
SSgt. Herbert A. Kirk
SSgt. Henry G. Gish
SSgt. Willis R. Hall
SSgt. James W. Davis
SSgt. David S. Price
TSgt. Donald K. Springsteadah
SSgt. Don F. Worley.

? Killed in action/body recovered:
TSgt. Patrick L. Shannon.



Time. Like a predator,
does it stalk us all.

But for some of us,
so also does pain.

Relentless, and without mercy,
does it once more, kill again.

Once more, through day and night,
does the beast feast on my heart.

Oh Father! Let time gain, and kill,
the beast within.


Your loving son
A.B

Of Love, for his Brothers.....

http://www.au.af.mil/au/cepme/herita...ws/etchshk.jpg

March 11, 1968.

CMSgt Richard L. Etchberger.

The highest decoration the Air Force can present for bravery is the Air Force Cross. This award is awarded to U.S. and Foreign military personnel and civilians who have displayed extraordinary heroism in one of the following situations: while engaged in action against a U.S. enemy, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with a foreign force, or while serving with a Friendly nation engaged in armed conflict against a force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

Prior to 1960, when Congress established the Air Force Cross, enlisted men were decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for heroic actions. In the Vietnam era, countless airman performed brave acts which were above and beyond the call of duty; however, of the enlisted airmen, only 20 were awarded the Air Force Cross. Since 1975, only one airman has earned the award, bringing the total to 21 recipients.

Chief Etchberger was born 5 March 1933 in Hamburg, PA. After a long and distinguished career, the Chief was assigned to the 1043d Radar Evaluation Squadron, Bolling AFB DC. The Chief was deployed to Laos in support of OPERATION HEAVY GREEN, a highly classified and covert operation providing precision radar bombing in North Vietnam. Geneva Accords prohibited stationing US Armed forces personnel in Laos except for accredited attaches. Chief Etchberger and other selected personnel were "officially" discharged from the Air Force and hired outside the Department of Defense.

On 11 March 1968, Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger was manning a defensive position when the radar site, Lima Site 85 was overrun by enemy ground forces. The enemy was able to deliver sustained and withering fire directly upon this position from higher ground. His entire crew dead or wounded, Chief Etchberger continued to return the enemy's fire thus denying them access to the position. During this entire period, Chief Etchberger continued to direct air strikes and call for air rescue on his emergency radio, thereby enabling the air evacuation force to locate the surrounded friendly element.

When air rescue arrived, Chief Etchberger deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire in order to place his three surviving wounded comrades in the rescuer slings permitting them to be airlifted to safety. As Chief Etchberger was finally being rescued, he was fatally wounded, by enemy ground fire. His fierce defense which culminated in the supreme sacrifice of his life, saved not only the lives of his three comrades but provided for the successful evacuation of the remaining survivors of the base.

Chief Etchberger was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Force Cross. He was added to the official Department of Defense killed in Action listing sometime after 1981.


CMSgt Richard L. Etchberger, Sir!

Hand Salute!

A.B

:32: :32: :32:

Bravery has no bounds.

:32: god bless them all :a:

Hey Doc I like your shingle - "The finest medal is the smiling face of a living Comrade" - I can appreciate that.