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. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. He was captured by North Vietnamese while still trying to extricate himself from his parachute. (Campbell and Hill, p. 90), Risner was "Oak Lead" on September 16, 1965, flying F-105D 61-0217. If you can, provide 1-2 sources of information backing up this correction. 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. Risner noted to a biographer that his tour under these conditions amounted to as much flying as he desired but a distinct lack of discipline on the ground. Early in the air war over North Vietnam, Robinson Risner led the first flight of Operation Rolling Thunder, a high-intensity aerial bombing of North Vietnam. Although Logan came down close to shore and was a strong swimmer, he became entangled in his parachute shrouds and drowned. In an effort to help him reach Kimpo, Risner attempted to push Logan's aircraft by having him shut down his engine and inserting the nose of his own jet into the tailpipe of Logan's, an unprecedented and untried maneuver. In his book, Risner attributes faith in God and prayer as being instrumental to his surviving the Hanoi prison experience. This guy had balls of steel. Unfortunately, the Time magazine article featuring Risner made its way to his captors. His mother and brother died while he was still a P.O.W. The strike force consisted of more than 100 F-105, F-100 and B-57 aircraft, and in the congested airspace, heavy anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire seriously disrupted its coordination and radio communications. The force had clear conditions but encountered a severe glare in the target area that made the bridge difficult to acquire for attacks with the Bullpups. Tags: Topics: Question 47 . [10][13][14], Risner was commissioned into the Regular Air Force and assigned to the 50th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Clovis Air Force Base, New Mexico, in March 1953, where he became operations officer of the 81st Fighter Bomber Squadron. [22] Again he attempted to fly to the Gulf of Tonkin, but ejected when the aircraft, on fire, pitched up out of control. [4], Risner had a religious upbringing as a member of the 1st Assembly of God Church. Robinson Risner . 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. Shot down again on September 16, 1965, he was captured and held as a. [3], Risner had a religious upbringing as a member of the 1st Assembly of God Church. He received the Air Force Cross for his actions with the Sixty-Seventh Tactical Fighter Squadron on April 34, 1965, and was awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Korean War Silver Star for operations against the North Vietnamese between September 9 and 12, 1965. Additional support provided by the Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation Inc. In an effort to help him reach Kimpo, Risner attempted to push Logan's aircraft by having him shut down his engine and inserting the nose of his own jet into the tailpipe of Logan's, an unprecedented and untried maneuver. program[21] and raised quarter horses, and later in San Antonio. He died on October 22, 2013 in Bridgewater, Virginia, USA. [38] Risner made no rebuttal at the time, but when interviewed by Frances Kiernan decades later, Risner described the review as "character assassination", a criticism of McCarthy's treatment supported by several of her liberal peers including Kiernan. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. In October, Robinson Risner was promoted to Major and named Operations Officer of the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. He was captured by North Vietnamese while still trying to extricate himself from his parachute. He also became a P-51 Mustang pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. Risner's determination to be assigned to a combat unit was nearly ended when on his last day before going overseas he broke his hand and wrist falling from a horse. [10] Robinson Risner, Ace Fighter Pilot, Dies at 88. New York Times, October 28, 2013. "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. Online at http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/30/local/la-me-robinson-risner-20131031 (accessed December 16, 2017). In 1976, the Robbie Risner Award was created to recognize an air force weapons officer who makes the greatest combat impact in his or her first year after graduating from the Weapons Instructor Course at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. He was the first living recipient of the . Arriving at Kimpo in the middle of the night, he joined his flight which was on alert status. Awards: Air Force Cross (2) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Bronze Star (3 . On August 12, 1965, U.S. Air Force and Navy air units received authorization to attack surface-to-air missile sites. I did not ask God to take me out of it. James Robinson Risner was a man of humble origins, son of an Arkansas sharecropper, educated at secondary school level, not particularly ambitious, a common man save for two things: He could fly the hell out of an airplane; and, under terribly difficult circumstances as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam, he rose to a level of heroic leadership [4] 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,[3] for the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce at age 16, as a welder, and for his father polishing cars. During the Korean War, Risner was also awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions on August 5, 1952, receiving an Oak Leaf Cluster to that award for exploits on September 5, 1952, and a second Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism on January 21, 1953. Risner was recalled to active duty in February 1951 while assigned to the 185th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the OKANG at Will Rogers Field in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Donations made to the CALS Foundation are tax-deductible for United States federal income tax purposes. [10][13], On September 21, he shot down his fifth MiG, becoming the 20th jet ace. He was the fifth of seven children. [15] On February 18, 1965, as part of an escalation in air attacks directed by President Lyndon B. Johnson that resulted in the commencement of Operation Rolling Thunder, the 67th TFS began a tour of temporary at Korat RTAFB, Thailand, under the control of the 2nd Air Division. ", Commander Everett Alvarez Jr. 1st U.S. pilot held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia[30], After several days of travel on foot and by truck, Risner was imprisoned in Ha L Prison, known as "The Hanoi Hilton" to American POWs. 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. Near Cho Do, Lt. Logan bailed out, after radioing to Risner, "I'll see you at the base tonight." [32] He was a POW for seven years, four months, and 27 days. Following the war, in 1957, he was chosen to fly an F-100F Super Sabre to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of Charles Lindberghs ground-breaking transatlantic flight. All, however, held him in awe. [37] After publication of the book, McCarthy strenuously attacked both Risner (deeming him "unlikeable" and alleging that he had "become a Vietnamese toady") and Risner's credibility in a review. Risner flew 108 missions in Korea and was credited with the destruction of eight MiG-15s, his final victory occurring January 21, 1953. Some prisoners reconstructed an abbreviated version of the Bible from memory. James Robinson Risner's F-86; While a guest of the communists, he suffered. Correll, John T. Nine Feet Tall. Air Force Magazine, February 2012, pp. Risner encouraged resistance among his fellow American captives, urging them to withstand their jailers torture but not to the point of suffering permanent physical or mental disability. The missions saw the first interception of U.S. aircraft by North Vietnamese MiG-17 fighters, resulting in the loss of two F-105s and pilots of the last flight, struck by a hit-and-run attack while waiting for their run at the target.[24]. 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. [48] He was also inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in November 1974 in recognition of his military service,[49] and announced as an inductee into the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame on November 1, 2013.[50]. [16], In July 1956, he was transferred to George Air Force Base, California as operations officer of the 413th Fighter Wing. [34], An interview with Risner appears in the 1968 4-chapter East German series Piloten im Pyjama by Walter Heynowski and Gerhard Scheumann. Risner's family life during and following his imprisonment was marked by several personal tragedies. The 67th TFS ended its first duty at Korat on April 26 but returned from Okinawa on August 16 for a second tour of combat duty over North Vietnam. Robinson deliberately concealed the injury, which would have grounded him, until able to convince a flight surgeon that the injury had healed. In June, when the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, also at Kimpo, sought experienced pilots, he arranged a transfer to 4th Fighter Wing through the intervention of a former OKANG associate. Later that same month, Robbie was featured on the cover of Time magazine. [10] With (Captain James) Stockdale we had wisdom. Risner in 1973 after being released as a POW by the North Vietnamese. Lyndon B Johnson Cup. 512824, nicknamed Ohio Mike and bearing a large cartoon rendition of Bugs Bunny as nose art, in which he achieved most of his aerial victories. 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. 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. [17], From August 1960 to July 1961, he attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Flying came easily to the gifted trainee, which led to a coveted assignment flying fighters after graduation. Risner's exploits earned him an awarding of the Air Force Cross and resulted in his being featured as the cover portrait of the April 23, 1965 issue of Time Magazine. In his book, Risner attributes faith in God and prayer as being instrumental to his surviving the Hanoi prison experience. He actually had his cast removed to fly his first mission. . The proud strains rang out of the 15-foot walls of the camp and reverberated outside in the streets of downtown Hanoi. Other awards include the Bronze Star with V device and Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Command Medal, and Purple Heart with three Oak Leaf Clusters. James Robinson Risner was a man of humble origins, son of an Arkansas sharecropper, educated at secondary school level, not particularly ambitious, a common man save for two things: He could fly the hell out of an airplane; and, under terribly difficult circumstances as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam, he rose to a level of heroic leadership matched by few men in American military history. [n 12] The Risner Award is a six and one-half foot trophy consisting of a sculpture of Risner in flight suit and helmet on a marble base, weighing approximately four tons. Youve just been tortured, and thats not the end of it; resist to the limits of your sanity, or to permanent physical damage. Copyright 2003-2021. [8][10][11][n 3], On the return flight, Risner's wingman, 1st Lt. Joseph Logan, was struck in his fuel tanks by anti-aircraft fire over Antung. 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 . This page was last edited on 25 December 2022, at 21:40. He wrestled for Tulsa Central High School, where he graduated in 1942. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. Thompson, Warren E., and McLaren, David R. (2002). Buried Arlington National Cemetery Allegiance United States Service/branch United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force Years of service 1943-1946 1951-1976 Rank The 30th FS was based on a primitive airstrip without permanent facilities at Aguadulce, on the Gulf of Panama. Campbell, John M., and Hill, Michael (1996). Gen. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was part of that legendary . He flew his badly damaged aircraft over heavily fortified hostile territory before successfully landing at a friendly airfield. Has been corrected. All Rights Reserved. The 67th TFS ended its first deployment to Korat on April 26 but returned from Okinawa on August 16 for a second tour of combat duty over North Vietnam. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. He was promoted to the grade of Brigadier General in May 1974. The meeting, described as "stilted",[36] resulted in an unflattering portrait of McCarthy in Risner's book, primarily because she failed to note scars and other evidence of torture he wrote that he had made plain to her. [49][54][55] Risner was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on January 23, 2014. Risner is the first living recipient of the Air Force's highest award, the Air Force Cross, which he received twice. He was forced to eject when the aircraft, on fire, pitched up out of control. [8][9] Scoring numerous hits on the MiG, shooting off its canopy, and setting it on fire, Risner chased it between hangars of the Communist airbase, where he shot it down into parked fighters. [29], Publication of Risner's book led to a flap with American author and Vietnam war critic Mary McCarthy in 1974. He flew F-86s with the 50th Wing to activate Hahn Air Base, West Germany, where he became commander of the 81st FBS in November 1954. 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. 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 . Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions: U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. "It is said among the flying community that the Risner Award in combat aviation is like the Heisman Trophy in college football, said Vargas." The statue was made nine feet tall in memory of Risner's statement, commenting on his comrades singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America", that "I felt like I was nine feet tall and could go bear hunting with a switch. Heavy ground fire struck Risner's F-105 in its air intakes when he popped up over a hill to make his attack. 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. Risner became an ace in the Korean War and commanded a squadron of F-105 Thunderchiefs in the first missions of Operation Rolling Thunder in 1965. Chawkins, Steve. 72201. [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. However, he refused to be diverted from his primary mission of completing the destruction of the assigned targets. http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/105823/brigadier-general-robinson-risner/ (accessed December 16, 2017). He flew F-86s with the 50th Wing to activate Hahn Air Base, West Germany, where he became commander of the 81st Fighter-Bomber Squadron in November 1954. Through turbulence and with leaking oil splattering his cockpit canopy,he pushed Logans powerless plane until they were beyond enemy territory and within reach of U.S. troops. With Risner we had spirituality. In 1965 the facilities at Korat RTAFB were still primitive and the Air Force living area was referred to as "Camp Nasty.". Give a donation in someones name to mark a special occasion, honor a friend or colleague or remember a beloved family member. Joe, a strong swimmer, landed close to shore, and the chopper tried to blow him in with the rotors. In civilian life, Risner tried a succession of jobs, training as an auto mechanic, operating a gas station, and managing a service garage. [10][12], On September 21 he shot down his fifth MiG, becoming the 20th "jet ace". When the Korean War began, he wangled his way out of the Oklahoma Air National Guard and arrived in Korea on May 10, 1952, where he was assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Kimpo Air Base. [7] Risner was often assigned to fly F-86E-10, AF serial no. This project is funded in part by a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan grant award. They told Risner there were only three people they would rather have as a captive: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara or Dean Rusk. His five sons had been ages 3 to 16 when he was shot down and imprisoned.[33]. H&S's and Risner's accounts "differ radically". Arriving at Kimpo in the middle of the night, he joined his flight which was on alert status. A miniature replica, also donated by Perot, is presented to each year's recipient as a personal memento. You wouldnt be here.. In a brief dogfight, Risner shot down one to score his first aerial victory. Risner flew 108 missions in Korea and was credited with the destruction of eight MiG-15s, his final victory occurring January 21, 1953. The use of Bullpups against the bridge had been completely ineffectual, resulting in the scheduling of a second mission the next day with 48 F-105s attacking the bridge without destroying it. In 2006, Risner appeared on an episode of the History Channel series Dogfights. Double ACE and prisoner of war in Vietnam. The object of the maneuver was to push Logan's aircraft to the island of Cho Do off the North Korean coast, where the Air Force maintained a helicopter rescue detachment. Risner's wingman was shot down in the opening pass, and the mission was in danger of collapsing when Risner took charge. alternatives . Because of the Time cover story, he would become one of the highest-profile U.S. prisoners of the Vietnam War. During that period the Vietnamese intercepted a series of prisoner messages which clearly indicated the danger of General Risner's leadership to their exploitation methods. The one time she was way off was about the prisoner of war in North Vietnam, Robinson Risner. 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. Time magazine featured him on the cover of its April 23, 1965, issue, which highlighted a dozen Americans serving in Vietnam. It was automatic, almost subconscious. [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. Subsequently, he served as commander of the 34th Fighter-Day Squadron, also at George Air Force Base. [29][n 9], "We were lucky to have Risner. About; Blog; Contact Us; . They remained married until the end of his life, with the two younger of his four surviving sons choosing to live with him and Risner adopting her three youngest children. part by a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Sustaining the Humanities through the American . Jet fuel and hydraulic fluid spewed out from the wounded Sabre. However, he refused to be diverted from his primary mission of completing the destruction of the assigned targets. . For more information, contact 501-918-3025 orcalsfoundation@cals.org. [19] After the last strike had been delivered, Risner and the two surviving members of his flight remained in the area, directing the search and rescue mission for Baird until their fuel ran low. [32] Risner made no rebuttal at the time, but when interviewed 20 years later, termed it "character assassination", a charge supported by several of McCarthy's liberal peers. He often spoke at gatherings for veterans and Air Force pilots. [38], General Risner received the following awards and decorations:[15][39]. [15], Risner is one of only four airmen with multiple awards of the Air Force Cross, a combat decoration second only to the Medal of Honor. During the Vietnam War, Risner was 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, awarded the first for valor in . He received an unofficial rebuke from the American embassy for flying an armed fighter into the sovereign territory of a foreign nation, but for diplomatic reasons, the flight was officially ignored.[6]. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner (January 16, 1925 - October 22, 2013) was a general and a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. He was on his 55th combat mission at the time. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was born in 1925 in Arkansas, to a sharecropping family struggling to make ends meet. Risner became an ace in the Korean War and commanded a squadron of F-105 Thunderchiefs in the first missions of Operation Rolling Thunder in 1965. Robinson Risner, Self: Return with Honor. In the early days he was generally held in that small cell block mentioned earlier, and since most new prisoners were held there temporarily, after initial interrogation and torture sessions, Risner used brief moments of guard absence to induct new men into his POW command. [16], During his tour of duty at George Air Force Base, Risner was selected to fly the Charles A. Lindbergh Commemoration Flight from New York to Paris. Tragically, Joe Logan didn't make it; he became tangled in his parachute lines and drowned. On September 21, 1952, he shot down his fifth MiG. In October 1952 Risner was promoted to major and named operations officer of the 336th FIS. The idea was to push the plane to reach the United Nations rescue base of Cho Do. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. Your email address will not be published. Risner became the inspiration for all of the confused and scared young men in a very hostile environment. Always it would make sense, be crisp and to the point. Following the war, Risner raised quarter horses in Texas and became executive director of the Texans War Against Drugs. The flight of four F-86 Sabres launched and encountered 14 MiG-15s. Risner, in Davis (1978), p. 46, is quoted as identifying the airfield as "Tak Tung Kau". Ferrying a two-seat F-100F Super Sabre nicknamed Spirit of St. Louis II to Europe on the same route as Lindbergh, he set a transatlantic speed record, covering the distance in 6 hours and 37 minutes. Risner's aircraft was at very low altitude flying at approximately 600mph,[23] approaching a site that was likely a decoy luring aircraft into a concentration of AAA. No matter how brutal the beatings, the next day he would be at it again. I did not ask God to take me out of it. His autobiography, The Passing of the Night: My Seven Years as a Prisoner of the North Vietnamese, describes seven years of torture and mistreatment by the North Vietnamese. Online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/robinson-risner-air-force-ace-and-pow-dies-at-88/2013/10/29/ec759f3e-40ae-11e3-a624-41d661b0bb78_story.html (accessed December 16, 2017). Risner was later transferred to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico as Commander of the 832d Air Division in February 1974 and flew the F-111 fighter-bomber. 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Information backing up this correction collapsing when Risner took charge later that same month Robbie! Validation purposes and should be left unchanged //www.washingtonpost.com/national/robinson-risner-air-force-ace-and-pow-dies-at-88/2013/10/29/ec759f3e-40ae-11e3-a624-41d661b0bb78_story.html ( accessed December james robinson risner awards 2017. '' on September 21, 1953 received authorization to attack surface-to-air missile sites that month! In Hawaii next served on the cover of time magazine article featuring made. At Maxwell Air Force pilots being released as a name to mark a special occasion, honor a or! Entangled in his parachute shrouds and drowned is for validation purposes and should be left.. Was way off was about the prisoner of War during the Vietnam critic! These key questions: U.S. prisoners of the highest-profile U.S. prisoners of the 1st Assembly of God Church Robert or... Upbringing as a personal memento MiG, becoming the 20th jet ace was! Field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged 1952 Risner was part of that legendary God... Would rather have as a member of the night, he served as commander of the time alert... To extricate himself from his parachute lines and drowned before he could be rescued ], on 16! One to score his first aerial victory series Dogfights its Air intakes when he was captured held!
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