News>Airman receiving Medal of Honor for '68 actions
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Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. "Dick" Etchberger, an Air Force senior NCO who was killed after saving the lives of some of his crew during a fierce battle at a radar site in Laos 42 years ago, will receive the Medal of Honor Sept. 21 in a White House ceremony. (Courtesy photo)
Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. "Dick" Etchberger, an Air Force senior NCO who was killed after saving the lives of some of his crew during a fierce battle at a radar site in Laos 42 years ago, will receive the Medal of Honor Sept. 21 in a White House ceremony. (Courtesy photo)
Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. "Dick" Etchberger, an Air Force senior NCO who was killed after saving the lives of some of his crew during a fierce battle at a radar site in Laos 42 years ago, will receive the Medal of Honor Sept. 21 in a White House ceremony. (Courtesy photo)
9/8/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- An Air Force senior NCO who was killed 42 years ago will receive the Medal of Honor for actions he took after enemy forces overran a clandestine U.S. radar site in Laos.
Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. "Dick" Etchberger, 35, died March 11, 1968, after being shot following an overnight battle on Mount Phou Pha Thi at Lima Site 85, as the radar location was known to Americans, where he helped maintain equipment that aided the U.S. bombing campaign of North Vietnam.
Despite having received little or no combat training, Chief Etchberger single-handedly held off the enemy with an M-16, while simultaneously directing air strikes 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 some of his crew.
With the arrival of the rescue aircraft, Chief Etchberger, without hesitation, once again deliberately risked his own life numerous times, exposing himself to heavy enemy fire in order to place his 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.
"He should have a 55-gallon drum full of medals," said retired Tech Sgt. John G. Daniel, 71, of La Junta, Colo. Sergeant Daniel was one of the three rescued. "I wouldn't be alive without him."
Following a 2008 personnel board of review of the chief's actions, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley nominated the Hamburg, Pa., native for the U.S. military's highest decoration, which is awarded "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."
President Obama approved the Medal of Honor, which will be presented in a White House ceremony Sept. 21. The following day, an induction ceremony of Chief Etchberger into The Hall of Heroes will take place in the Pentagon. (Courtesy of Air Force News Service)
Comments
9/12/2010 9:33:36 PM ET Well done Chief. Damn shame he did not survive. I wish I had known him. I admire him now. Rest in Peace Chief.
Roy BagwellCMSgt. Ret., Caballo NM
9/10/2010 6:08:47 PM ET I was stationed in Vientiane when this happened and remember it well. I highly recommend the book One Day Too Long by Timothy N. Castle which tells the whole story of the lead up to the overrunning of this site and why they should have abandoned the site before this happend.
Charles Whitehead, Tyler TX
9/10/2010 11:29:04 AM ET I am proud that one of my USAF CMSgt brethren who was Site Commander no doubt was recognized for gallantry way beyond the call of duty. I was in Vietnam in 1968 and the Air Force had many unsung heroes in the enlisted ranks certified as non-combat. Chief Etchberger gave his all for his team and mission. It is wonderful that his family will share in the recognition of his sacrifice. I would be proud to attend his award ceremony as a brother Chief Master Sargent.
CMSgt Leslie T Walton USAF Retired, Richmond Va
9/10/2010 10:05:49 AM ET This is a wonderful tribute to CMS Etchberger. This valient airman gave his life for this comrades and his country. I salute him. My husband was also a CMSGT who is now deceased. I am so proud of our men and women who serve.
Cleo Moore, LufkinTexas
9/10/2010 12:36:00 AM ET Well deserved. I salute you chief.Gary J. Abbott SMSgt USAF Retired
Gary Abbott, Corpus Christi TX
9/9/2010 8:10:58 AM ET My father was the C-130 pilot who commanded this mission and was awarded the DFC in the early 80s when it was de-classified. Dad has always said that his medal was not his alone but belonged to the other men under his command and especially to those on the ground who made it possible to rescue so many. It's amazing that so many years later one of those men has now received such a distinguished honor. It's awe inspiring.
Debby Roseman, Katy TX
9/8/2010 4:21:22 PM ET Great act. Great man. Rewarding to see an airman receiving recognition for his heroic actions.
Miguel Solis Jr, Fort Worth Texas
9/8/2010 3:12:17 PM ET Good for Chief Etchberger. For more information on why it took so long Search for Lima Site 85 and learn the results of having your destiny dictated by idiots. Former member SACs 1st CEG
