News>Airman to receive 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)
9/3/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- 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 on Sept. 21. The following day, an induction ceremony of Chief Etchberger into The Hall of Heroes will take place in the Pentagon.
Comments
9/21/2010 10:03:02 PM ET I attended the now Chief Airey NCO Academy when I was stationed at Tyndall AFB in 2006 and selected Chief Etchberger to do my hero briefing. As a civilian in a test program at the Academy I did not have a lot of background knowledge on any Medal of Honor or Air Force Cross recipients and I chose Chief Etchberger to do my paper/presentation on as there was just something special that caught my attention. I was humbled then in reading of his extraordinarily heroic actions and the person he was and am so glad to have caught this on the evening news tonight to hear of this well deserved recognition for him. I had no idea his family was living alongside me in Panama City and send my thoughts and prayers and appreciation to them for his service.
Jennifer, National Guard Bureau Civilian - Arlington VA
9/10/2010 9:54:55 AM ET My first Patriot Guard Rider mission was for TSgt Patrick L. Shannon. TSgt Shannon was killed during the battle for Lima 85 was listed MIA until 2005. Positive ID was finally made and his family brought him home for burial in the Spring of 2006. Thank you Chief Etchberger for your incredible Warrior Spirit your sacrifice for your Brothers and you service to this great Nation Welcome home; job well done.
MSgt John Kammerer Retired, Allen Texas
9/8/2010 3:08:06 PM ET I too had first heard about this heroic story of Lima Site 85 and the Combat Skyspot folks as an Airman going through AutoTrack Radar Tech School in 1985 and 86. This is certainly way overdue but it is absolutely well-warranted It's a proud day for us old AutoTrackers in honoring one of our very own. May God bless the Etchberger family.
MSgt Eric J. Moyer, Langley AFB VA
9/8/2010 11:33:18 AM ET Long last, another hero recognized for his actions-the 6th enlisted person and the 60th USAF member to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
C Kimber, Washington DC
9/8/2010 1:45:45 AM ET Long overdue but well deserved. My thoughts go out to his family. Know that Chief Etchberger's actions are finally recognized publicly. His service, courage and sacrifice will be remembered as we celebrate his bravery.
Joseph Mooney, Kunsan AB ROK
9/7/2010 4:00:47 PM ET Please read the book "One Day too Long" by Timothy Castle. It documents the history of the Lima Site 85. It offers a unique perspective of the Air Force during that time of the war. The book was on the CSAF reading list for 2009.
Blake, NC
9/7/2010 12:14:32 PM ET To the Etchberger family. Back in 1968 your family was presented the Air Force Cross for your father's heroic actions but you were told to keep it a secret due to national security. Later the mission was made public and now 42 years later we as a nation are finally awarding the Medal of Honor for your father's actions. I know of his story from the Enlisted Heritage Hall and meeting with some of the family of others who knew Chief Etchberger and the mission he undertook in secrecy. The medal and ceremony are long overdue. We will forever be in debt to your father for his actions on 11 March 1968. He didn't just save a few men that day, he allowed generations of families to continue on. God Bless America
Mac, Tyndall AFB FL
9/7/2010 10:36:17 AM ET A1C Misawa - the MOH Review Board process is very stringent and drawn out. However it has evolved and changed over the years. I'm pretty sure Chief Etchberger recieved a citation for his actions and now after further review they are looking to upgrade it to our nation's highest award.
Steve, Tamps
9/7/2010 9:00:04 AM ET Well deserved and long overdue.
Col Mickey Addison, Pentagon
9/6/2010 9:46:26 PM ET Why did it take 50 years for this man to get what he deserved?
A1C, Misawa AB
9/6/2010 1:15:12 AM ET A true hero.
Mike Yerkes, Las Vegas NV
9/5/2010 10:09:52 PM ET I was always interested in Chief Etchberger's story since his line of work was very close to mine. I selected his story as my hero briefing in NCO Academy and I remember saying that his gallantry and sacrifice warranted the Medal of Honor. At last a fellow comm guy and hero in our Air Force will get the recognition as one of the enlisted recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Angel Alvarado, Charleston SC
9/5/2010 2:45:18 PM ET I first heard the story of Lima Site 85 and the other forgotten heroes of Combat Skyspot as an Airman going through AutoTrack Radar Tech School in 1982. This is way overdue as is formal recognition of many other enlisted heroes.
CMSgt Kevin Ott, Lajes Field Azores Portugal
9/4/2010 9:56:35 PM ET My thoughts and prayers go out to Chief Etchberger's family. Abraham Lincoln so eloquently stated "Let us have faith that right makes might and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it." Chief Etchberger's devotion to duty was no better defined then in the early morning hours of 11 Mar 1968. His dedication and sacrifice to save the lives of others is a lesson on leadership for everyone. Chief Etchberger is an Air Force warrior who exemplifies the true meaning of our Airmans Cree. Legacy, Honor and Valor are but a few words that relate to his heroic actions to take care of Airmen. September 21st will mark a special day when a true hero receives the proper recognition that he most assuredly deserves.
Patrick McMahon, Barksdale AFB LA
9/4/2010 4:29:01 PM ET I served one year in Laos but nowhere near Lima Site 85. I knew about it and I am sure he deserves the Medal Of Honor. I just wish he could be here to receive it in person. I approve of this. And last, Long live Project 404
Fred R. Eisenhauer, Goodlettsville Tennessee
9/3/2010 8:05:17 PM ET Finally. It is a mixture of sadness and celebration to have such a hero get the recognition he deserves..
