Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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Vietnam War - U.S. Air Force

Richard L Etchberger

Details
  • Rank: Chief Master Sergeant
  • Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
  • Unit/Command:
    1043d Radar Evaluation Squadron,
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Air Force
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: March 11, 1968
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Phou Pha Thi, Laos
Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Chief Etchberger and his team of technicians were manning a top secret defensive position at Lima Site 85 when the base was overrun by an enemy ground force. Receiving sustained and withering heavy artillery attacks directly upon his unit’s position, Chief Etchberger’s entire crew lay dead or severely wounded. 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 his remaining crew. With the arrival of the rescue aircraft, Chief Etchberger, without hesitation, repeatedly and deliberately risked his own life, exposing himself to heavy enemy fire in order to place 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. Chief Etchberger’s bravery and determination in the face of persistent enemy fire and overwhelming odds are in keeping with the highest standards of performance and traditions of military service. Chief Etchberger’s gallantry, self-sacrifice, and profound concern for his fellow men at risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Medal of Honor Recipient Richard L. Etchberger
Medal of Honor Recipient Richard L. Etchberger
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Hamburg, Berks County, Pennsylvania
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: September 21, 2010

    Presented to Etchberger's sons by President Barack Obama at the White House

  • Born: March 5, 1933, Hamburg, Berks County, PA, United States
  • Died: March 11, 1968, Phou Pha Thi, Laos
  • Buried: St. Johns Cemetery, Hamburg, PA, United States
  • Location of Medal: Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base, Maxwell AFB, AL
 

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