Pacific Air Forces honors Medal of Honor recipient

  • Published
  • By Capt. Alysia Harvey
  • HQ PACAF PA
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) --  Pacific Air Forces Airmen gathered in the Courtyard of Heroes April 29 here to honor the most recent Medal of Honor recipient.

Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger, who saved three of his fellow Airmen's lives before finally succumbing to enemy fire during a classified mission in Laos March 11, 1968, was posthumously awarded the nation's highest military decoration Sept. 21, 2010.

In a ceremony led by Gen. Gary North, the Pacific Air Forces commander, PACAF leaders recognized Chief Etchberger with a plaque hung next to the command's 29 other Medal of Honor recipients on the Wall of Valor at Pacific Air Forces' headquarters here.

After speaking on the heroic actions Chief Etchberger performed in Laos, General North said the chief was the epitome of an NCO and one who embodied the Airman's Creed.

"He was a true wingman, leader and warrior, ensuring he did not leave an Airman behind, and that he never faltered or failed," he said.

The commander highlighted the similarity between Chief Etchberger's situation and what many Airmen face today.

"Since 9/11, countless Airmen have stepped up to carry out dangerous and vitally important missions," General North said. "Whether it's disarming (improvised explosive devices) along the roads of Iraq and Afghanistan, driving supply trucks through dangerous territory, acting as part of provincial reconstruction teams, and all the other things Airmen do on the ground and in the air, Airmen today are making contributions that were once unimaginable. As the first combat support Airman to receive the Medal of Honor, Chief Etchberger's story will continue to inspire our entire service for many years to come."

Chief Etchberger's commitment to the core value of service before self is encouraging, said Chief Master Sgt. Brooke McLean, the PACAF command chief.

"Chief Etchberger volunteered for a mission that he knew could put him in harm's way, but that didn't deter him," Chief McLean said. "When he and his fellow Airmen were attacked, although he had little to no combat training and was armed only with his M-16 and a survival radio to call in airstrikes, Chief Etchberger courageously protected his fellow Airmen and exposed himself to enemy fire multiple times. He remained focused on the mission, he didn't complain, ... he served his country, his fellow man, and he made the ultimate sacrifice for which we honor him today."

After a rendition of "Lest We Forget," performed by Tech. Sgt. Richard Vasquez and Airman 1st Class Aaron Kusterer, both from the Headquarters PACAF Band, the ceremony concluded with General North and Chief McLean laying a wreath at the base of the courtyard's eternal flame monument in memory of Chief Etchberger.

"We are extremely proud of Chief Etchberger's actions in combat," said General North. "And we are extremely happy that our nation, after 42 years, has given Chief Etchberger the recognition he deserved, and that today he can take his rightful place among Pacific Air Forces' greatest heroes."