Born in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas on Jan. 16, 1925 and raised in a religious family, Robinson Risner made his first critical life choice between attending Bible College or joining the Army Air Forces during World War II. While undergoing hospital treatment in the Army, he met his first wife, Kathleen Shaw, a nurse from Ware Shoals, South Carolina. His father was originally a sharecropper, then during the Great Depression became a day laborer for the Works Progress Administration. He maneuvered his aircraft over the Gulf of Tonkin, ejected a mile offshore, and was rescued after fifteen minutes in the water. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 55, Site 626. When he passed the tough entrance exam for pilot training by one point, his future aloft was set. [28] He was a POW for seven years, four months, and 27 days. Baird, W. David, and Goble, Danney (1994). You wouldnt be here.. Campbell, John M., and Hill, Michael (1996). [3] In addition to a love of sports, Risner's interests were primarily in riding horses and motorcycles.[1]. Risner is a double recipient of the Air Force Cross, the second highest military decoration for valor that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. The turbulence kept bouncing and separating the two jets, but Risner was able to re-establish contact and guide the powerless plane out over the sea. Performing in the role of air coordinator, Colonel Risner arrived over the target area before the main strike force, evaluated the effectiveness of each strike, redirected subsequent strikes, and provided flak suppression against defenses that would hinder delivery aircraft in the performance of their mission. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness, Colonel Risner reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. In civilian life, Risner tried a succession of jobs, training as an auto mechanic, operating a gas station, and managing a service garage. What award is for the nation's best candidate program? For the next 7 and a half years Robbie absorbed levels of torture and abuse those three could likely never have grasped, let alone endured. He subsequently received training in the F-80 Shooting Star at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The 30th FS was based on a primitive airstrip without permanent facilities at Aguadulce, on the Gulf of Panama. [16] The following January he led a detachment of seven aircraft to Da Nang Air Base to fly combat strikes which included a mission in Laos on January 13 where he and his pilots were later on decorated for destroying a bridge, but Risner was also verbally reprimanded for losing an aircraft while bombing a second bridge not authorized by his orders. James Robinson Risner 'Robbie' Engagements: Korean War (1950 - 1953) Vietnam War (1960 - 1973) Biography: James Robinson "Robbie" Risner (January 16, 1925 - October 22, 2013) was a general officer and professional fighter pilot in the United States Air Force.. Risner was a double recipient of the Air Force Cross, the second highest military decoration for valor that can be awarded to . The two had met, apparently at McCarthy's request,[36] when McCarthy visited Hanoi in April 1968. (Tillman, "Frances Kiernan"). . Robinson Risner was born on January 16, 1925 in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, USA. If you can, provide 1-2 sources of information backing up this correction. 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. "The Art of Reviewing By Innuendo". The President of the United States, 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 James Robinson Risner, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 31 October to 15 December 1965. [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. When forced to make a statement against the war, he did so with mispronounced words and a heavy German accent, bringing further punishment from his captors. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. Risner, low on fuel and in a battle damaged aircraft, diverted to Danang air base for landing. 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. His mother and brother died while he was still a P.O.W. He was captured by North Vietnamese while still trying to extricate himself from his parachute. In October 1952 Risner was promoted to major and named operations officer of the 336th FIS. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993. With Risner we had spirituality. "[37], Perot helped Risner later become the Executive Director of the Texans' War on Drugs, and Risner was consequently appointed by President Ronald Reagan as a United States Delegate to the fortieth session of the United Nations General Assembly. 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. 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. A miniature replica, also donated by Perot, is presented to each year's recipient as a personal memento. He was previously married to Dorothy Miller Williams and Kathleen Shaw. He was the first living recipient of the medal.[1]. He next served on the joint staff of Commander-in-Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) in Hawaii. I prayed he would give me strength to endure it. At the time of Robbies capture, there were 27 other Americans incarcerated in Hanoi, separated from each other, all doing their best to abide by the Code of Conduct for American Fighting Men. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. 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 . On these dates Colonel Risner led two successive operations against vitally important and heavily defended targets. 51-2824, nicknamed Ohio Mike and bearing a large cartoon rendition of Bugs Bunny as nose art, in which he achieved most of his aerial victories. Brigadier Robinson Risner. U.S. Air Force. 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. The Passing of the Night: Seven Years as a Prisoner of the North Vietnamese, Code of Conduct for American Fighting Men. "We were lucky to have Risner. 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. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, the former Dorothy Miller Williams, of Bridgewater; six children; a sister; and 14 grandchildren. He worked a series of jobs during his school years, contributing his earnings to the family funds. In 1965 the facilities at Korat RTAFB were still primitive and the Air Force living area was referred to as "Camp Nasty.". Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. 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. 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. Yet all he did, remained in a military framework, based on the core principle that each were fighting men with a code of honor that must be upheld. During their defense of the bombers, Risner's flight overflew the MiG base at Antung Airfield, China. 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. [7], On September 15, Risner's flight escorted F-84 Thunderjet fighter-bombers attacking a chemical plant on the Yalu River near the East China Sea. Your email address will not be published. At his death, Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh III observed: "Brig. [56], General Risner received the following awards and decorations:[16][57]. It was automatic, almost subconscious. View military histories of over 2 million, If you are a veteran, reconnect with people. SURVEY . After the war, he joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard, which was federalized during the Korean War, during which Risner flew 108 missions in F-86 Sabrejets. U.S. Air Force pilot James Robinson Risner, a 2015 inductee into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame. [17], From August 1960 to July 1961, he attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Tactics were revised in which "Hunter-Killer Teams" were created. 7478. "[2], Risner was born in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, in 1925,[3] but moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1931. For Risner, this moment came on Sept. 16, 1965, during a raid over North Vietnam when his F-105 Thunderchief was hit by ground fire. [10] Risner in 1973 after being released as a POW by the North Vietnamese. As soon as he was eligible, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces, having been accepted as an aviation cadet. Forced to land on a dry lakebed, he found that he was in Mexico and encountered bandits, but successfully flew his Mustang to Brownsville after the storm had passed. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner (born January 16, 1925) was a general officer and professional fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. Risner died in his sleep October 22, 2013, at his home in Bridgewater, Virginia three days after suffering a severe stroke. Joe, a strong swimmer, landed close to shore, and the chopper tried to blow him in with the rotors. [20][n 6], On March 22, 1965, while leading two flights of F-105s attacking a radar site near Vinh, North Vietnam, Risner was hit by ground fire when he circled back over the target. This guy had balls of steel. 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. On September 16, 1965, Risner was leading an attack on a North Vietnamese missile base when his jet was disabled, forcing him to bail out. However, after two weeks he was moved to Cu Loc Prison, known as "The Zoo", where he was confronted during interrogations with his Time magazine cover and told that his capture had been highly coveted by the North Vietnamese. [22] Again he attempted to fly to the Gulf of Tonkin, but ejected when the aircraft, on fire, pitched up out of control. The trophy is permanently displayed at the United States Air Force Academy, with each winner's name inscribed. He was captured by North Vietnamese while still trying to extricate himself from his parachute. With Risner we had spirituality. Shot down again on September 16, 1965, he was captured and held as a. Only one Bullpup could be guided at a time, and on his second pass, Risner's aircraft took a hit just as the missile struck the bridge. When the Russian wondered if they might have met in combat, Risner replied, No, way. Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions: U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. [n 8] Risner's aircraft was at very low altitude flying at approximately 600 miles per hour (970km/h),[27] approaching a site that was likely a decoy luring aircraft into a concentration of AAA. [25], - 1st U.S. pilot held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia[26] In October, Robinson Risner was promoted to Major and named Operations Officer of the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. Risner's family life during and following his imprisonment was marked by several personal tragedies. James Robinson Risner's F-86; While a guest of the communists, he suffered. ", After several days of travel on foot and by truck, Risner was imprisoned in Hoa Lo Prison, known as the Hanoi Hilton to American POWs. Morrocco, John, and Manning, Robert (1984). Correll, John T. Nine Feet Tall. Air Force Magazine, February 2012, pp. He was the first living recipient of the medal,[2] awarded the first for valor in aerial combat during the Vietnam War, and the second for gallantry as a prisoner of war of the North Vietnamese for more than seven years. [25] Initial attempts to locate and destroy the SA-2 Guideline sites, known as Iron Hand missions, were both unsuccessful and costly. Performing in the role of air coordinator, Colonel Risner arrived over the target area before the main strike force, evaluated the effectiveness of each strike, redirected subsequent strikes, and provided flak suppression against defenses that would hinder delivery aircraft in the performance of their mission. part by a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Sustaining the Humanities through the American . 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. [3] By the time Risner entered high school, his father was self-employed, selling used cars. Ungraded . Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. Later on, as the POW organization grew, and prisoners were taken to other prisons throughout the country, Risners guidance would expand and continue to spread. Colonel Risner initiated the attack, directing his aircraft into the target in the face of heavy automatic ground fire. The 2023 NAACP Image Awards also honored Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade, recipients of the President's Award. Gen. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was part of that legendary . Then, in the most unlikely circumstances, came true greatness. Risner enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet in April, 1943, and attended flight training at Williams Field, Arizona, where he was awarded his pilot wings and a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in May 1944. Risner then said, Learn the tap code, and heres how it works, memorize it, and practice it, its vital. Adding, Eat everything they give you, no matter how disgusting; itll keep you alive. 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. Because of the Time cover story, he would become one of the highest-profile U.S. prisoners of the Vietnam War. "[2], Risner in 1973 after being released as a POW by the North Vietnamese. In his words: To make it, I prayed by the hour. [35] He is also the first living recipient of this decoration. Other articles related to "legacy ": X86 . Risner flew 108 missions in Korea and was credited with the destruction of eight MiG-15s, his final victory occurring January 21, 1953. 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. [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). Tags: 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Air Force Cross, Arlington National Cemetery, Army Air Forces, Bible College, Brigadier General, Bronze Star Medals., Bugs Bunny, Charles G. Boyd, Code of Conduct for American Fighting Men, Dean Rusk, Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Dorothy Miller Williams, East China Sea, F-105s, F-86E-10 Sabrejet, God Bless America, Gulf of Tonkin, H. Ross Perot, Hanoi, James Robinson Risner, Kimpo Air Base, Korean War, Lyndon Johnson, Mammoth Springs, Medal of Honor, MiG-15s, Oklahoma Air National Guard., Operation Rolling Thunder, P-51 Mustang, Panama Canal, Prisoner of War in North Vietnam, Robert McNamara, Robinson Risner, Silver Stars, Southeast Asia, the Korean War, The Passing of the Night: Seven Years as a Prisoner of the North Vietnamese, The Star-Spangled Banner, Time Magazine, U.S. Air Force Academy, Vinh Son, World War II, Yalu River. Part of that legendary for his actions while in captivity Medal for actions! Reflected the highest credit upon himself and the POW Medal for his actions while captivity! Michael ( 1996 ) Force Distinguished Service Medal and the United States Force... The rotors training by one point, his father was originally a sharecropper, during! 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