Risner was later transferred to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico in February 1974 to command the 832d Air Division, in which he flew the F-111 Aardvark fighter-bomber. 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. Double ACE and prisoner of war in Vietnam. He was a close friend of the billionaire businessman and onetime presidential candidate H. Ross Perot, who commissioned a statue of Robinson Risner, which was installed at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, on November 16, 2001. [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. "[2], Risner was born in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, in 1925,[3] but moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1931. Risner, James Robinson . Pre-European Exploration, Prehistory through 1540, European Exploration and Settlement, 1541 through 1802, Louisiana Purchase through Early Statehood, 1803 through 1860, Civil War through Reconstruction, 1861 through 1874, Post-Reconstruction through the Gilded Age, 1875 through 1900, Early Twentieth Century, 1901 through 1940, World War II through the Faubus Era, 1941 through 1967, Divergent Prosperity and the Arc of Reform, 19682022, http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/105823/brigadier-general-robinson-risner/, http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/30/local/la-me-robinson-risner-20131031, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/28/us/robinson-risner-ace-fighter-pilot-dies-at-88.html?mcubz=3, 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, World War II through the Faubus Era (1941 - 1967). The 30th FS was based on a primitive airstrip without permanent facilities at Aguadulce, on the Gulf of Panama. He completed transition training in P-40 Warhawk and P-39 Airacobra fighters before being assigned to the 30th Fighter Squadron in Panama. 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. Because of the Time cover story, he would become one of the highest-profile U.S. prisoners of the Vietnam War. What award is for the nation's best candidate program? 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. The award is presented annually to the outstanding graduate of the USAF Weapons School. In October, Robinson Risner was promoted to Major and named Operations Officer of the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. 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. Five USAF aircraft, including three of Risner's F-105s, were shot down on the Xom Biang strike, but all of the 67th TFS pilots including Baird were rescued. 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. [26], On the morning of September 16, 1965, on an Iron Hand sortie, Risner scheduled himself for the mission[21] as the "hunter" element of a Hunter-Killer Team searching for a SAM site in the vicinity of Tuong Loc, 80 miles (130km) south of Hanoi and 10 miles (16km) northeast of the Thanh Hoa Bridge. Robert V. "Boris" Baird was shot down on the opening pass and the mission was in danger of collapsing when Risner took charge. On these dates Colonel Risner led two successive operations against vitally important and heavily defended targets. Risner was born in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, but moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1931. He became in the eyes of others in the business one of two things: the perfect role model, or just plain crazy. 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. Major support provided through a partnership with the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. It was largely thanks to the leadership of Risner and his Navy counterpart, Commander (later Vice Admiral) James Stockdale, that the POWs organized themselves to present maximum resistance. He was also appointed as a U.S. delegate to the Fortieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly by President Ronald Reagan. Returned to Hoa Loa Prison as punishment for disseminating behavior guidelines to the POWs under his nominal command, Risner was severely tortured for 32 days, culminating in his coerced signing of an apologetic confession for war crimes.[24][27]. While the Korean War may have been Risners favorite period, it was by no means the most consequential in the lives of others. He flew his badly damaged aircraft over heavily fortified hostile territory before successfully landing at a friendly airfield. 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 aerial combat and the second for gallantry as a prisoner of war of the North Vietnamese for more than seven years. Following being shot down a second time and then captured, his arrival in the old French dungeons of Hanoi began the trial of his life, but also the leadership role that would be his legacy. (Risner, p. 10; Campbell and Hill, p. 87), Ironically, Risner's portrait was featured that month in a, Kiernan said of McCarthy herself: "She just about always had the right position. He was a guiding presence, a behavior yardstick, and he managed to achieve this without direct contact. & Latino Voices STARmeter Awards San Diego Comic-Con New York Comic-Con Sundance Film Festival Toronto Int'l Film Festival Awards Central Festival Central All Events. 2023 Encyclopedia of Arkansas. 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. [4] he also joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard, becoming an F-51 Mustang pilot. Race & Ethnicity. [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. [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. Returned to Ha L Prison as punishment for disseminating behavior guidelines to the POWs under his nominal command, Risner was severely tortured for 32 days, culminating in his coerced signing of an apologetic confession for war crimes. On Feb. 12, 1973, he was among the first group of prisoners to be released from North Vietnam. Brigadier Robinson Risner. U.S. Air Force. 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. The Passing of the Night: Seven Years as a Prisoner of the North Vietnamese, Code of Conduct for American Fighting Men. 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. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower, in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Risner reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. (1925 - 2013) (RIP) James Rob. 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 first time you log in to our catalog you will need to create an account. When the squadron was relocated to Howard Field in the Panama Canal Zone in January 1945 to transition to P-38 Lightning fighters, its pilots were soon banned from the Officers Club for rowdiness and vandalism.[5]. 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. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. About; Blog; Contact Us; . [10][12], On September 21 he shot down his fifth MiG, becoming the 20th "jet ace". His story of being imprisoned drew wide acclaim after that war's end. Read our Privacy Policy. Risner exercised as much as he could and prayed by the hour, he wrote in his 1973 memoir, The Passing of the Night: Seven Years as a Prisoner of the North Vietnamese. In the book he wrote, I did not ask God to take me out of it, I prayed He would give me the strength to endure it.. When it would get so bad that I did not think I could stand it, I would ask God to ease it and somehow I would make it. Howes, Craig. Once Risner determined that he was the senior ranking officer, he began to put structure and guidance into the POWs lives, a sense of order and community, the very thing their captors were trying desperately to prevent. [28] He was on his 55th combat mission at the time. 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. [n 5], Risner's squadron led the first Rolling Thunder strike on March 2, bombing an ammunition dump at Xom Biang approximately 10 miles (16km) north of the Demilitarized Zone. It was his heroics of the Korean War that put Robbie Risners name on the map of aerial warriors of that era and earned him the title of the 20th Ace of the War. 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.[5]. 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. Celebs. Your email address will not be published. During their defense of the bombers, Risner's flight overflew the MiG base at Antung Airfield, China. The extremely harsh treatment inflicted upon him was to become a way of life for him in the subsequent years. McCarthy, Mary (March 7, 1974). [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. 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. On the afternoon of April 3, the strike package of Rolling Thunder Mission 9 Alpha consisted of 79 aircraft, including 46 F-105s. Risner is the first living recipient of the Air Force's highest award, the Air Force Cross, which he received twice. [16], From August 1960 to July 1961, he attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Forces in Southeast Asia. He directed his aircraft over the Gulf of Tonkin, ejected, and was rescued. While undergoing hospital treatment in the Army, he met his first wife, Kathleen Shaw, a nurse from Ware Shoals, South Carolina. He was the first living recipient of the medal.[1]. 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,[28] in defiance of North Vietnamese authorities. In July 1973 assigned to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, where he became combat ready in the F-4 Phantom II. Risner apparently did not live in Arkansas for long, with census records showing the family living in Oak Grove, Missouri, in 1930, and in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by 1940. 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. When the Russian wondered if they might have met in combat, Risner replied, No, way. Heavy ground fire struck Risner's F-105 in its air intakes when he popped up over a hill to make his attack. The President of the United States, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Robinson Risner, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 3 and 4 April 1965. He died on October 22, 2013 in Bridgewater, Virginia, USA. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. [32] He was a POW for seven years, four months, and 27 days. Risner was able to re-establish contact and guide the powerless plane out over the sea until fluids threatened to stall his own engine. 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. Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions: U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. The couple raised their combined six children together. [29][n 9], "We were lucky to have Risner. The two had met, apparently at McCarthy's request,[30] when McCarthy visited Hanoi in April 1968. In a brief dogfight, Risner shot down one to score his first aerial victory. 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. On Feb. 12, 1973, he was among the first group of prisoners to be released from North Vietnam. Two years before he retired from the air force as a brigadier general in 1975, he published his memoir of his time as a prisoner of war, The Passing of the Night. He would participate in reunions of airmen, and at one in the 1990s he met a Russian MiG pilot who had served in Korea. He often spoke at gatherings for veterans and Air Force pilots. Flying came easily to the gifted trainee, which led to a coveted assignment flying fighters after graduation. [18][n 4] 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 duty at Korat RTAFB, Thailand, under the control of the 2d Air Division. In the course of the operation, Colonel Risner's unit encountered the first MIG force committed in aerial combat against the U.S. "It is said among the flying community that the Risner Award in combat aviation is like the Heisman Trophy in college football, said Vargas." [4], In addition to a love of sports, Risner's interests were primarily in riding horses and motorcycles.[3]. program[21] and raised quarter horses, and later in San Antonio. Robbie Risner was born on January 16, 1925, in Mammoth Spring, the son of sharecroppers Grover W. Risner and Lora Grace Robinson Risner. In his book, Risner attributes faith in God and prayer as being instrumental to his surviving the Hanoi prison experience. Kiley, Frederick, and Rochester, Stuart I (1999). 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. (Davis, p. 43), Risner is quoted as identifying the airfield as "Tak Tung Kau". His many decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star with V for valor, two Silver Stars, eight Air Medals, and three Purple Hearts. [10][14][15], Risner was commissioned into the Regular Air Force and assigned to the 50th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, New Mexico, in March 1953, where he became operations officer of the 81st Fighter Bomber Squadron. . Risner, the highest-ranking American POW during most of his seven years, four months and 27 days behind bars, died in his sleep October 22, 2013, at his home in Bridgewater, Virginia three days after suffering a severe stroke. He also became a P-51 Mustang pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. 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. 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. Robinson Risner was born on January 16, 1925 in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, USA. Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, "Detailed Chronological List, Recipients of the Air Force Cross", http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/02_AFC/detail_index_chron.html, http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/1983/December%201983/1283valor.aspx, http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/history/aviators/rrisner.htm, http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0112/14/lkl.00.html, "Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale: Vietnam War Hero and Indomitable Spirit at the Hanoi Hilton", http://www.historynet.com/vice-admiral-james-bond-stockdale-vietnam-war-hero-and-indomitable-spirit-at-the-hanoi-hilton.htm, "USAF Weapons School Robbie Risner Award", http://web.archive.org/web/20120420011921/http://www.aggienetwork.com/uploads/class/newsletters/66%20July%2008.pdf, "Nomination of United States Representatives and Alternate Representatives to the 40th Session of the United Nations General Assembly", http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1985/91785a.htm, http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.asp?ID=19, "Eagle Biography: Robinson 'Robbie' Risner", Air University Gathering of Eagles, Dedication of the Risner statue at the Air Force Academy on November 16, 2001, Photograph of Risner statue and its sculptor, Lawrence Ludtke, YouTube (newsreel), "1957 Spirit of St. Louis II Sets Atlantic Record", Articles with dead external links from November 2014, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War, Central High School (Tulsa, Oklahoma) alumni, Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United States), Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States), United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II, Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States). Even so, as the officer of rank with the responsibility of maintaining order, from 1965 to 1973 he helped lead American resistance in the North Vietnamese prison complex through the use of improvised messaging techniques ("tap code"), endearing himself to fellow prisoners with his faith and optimism. 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. It was a reminder of the generals strong leadership among the POWs. [1] By the time Risner entered high school, his father was self-employed, selling used cars. 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. Arriving at Kimpo in the middle of the night, he joined his flight which was on alert status. 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 . As his jailers dragged him to another period of solitary confinement, he could hear his fellow prisoners break into The Star-Spangled Banner. I felt like I was nine feet tall and could go bear hunting with a switch, Risner said later. answer explanation . Also in attendance was retired Gen. Charles G. Boyd, his fellow POW. He subsequently received training in the F-80 Shooting Star at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. All, however, held him in awe. The Passing of the Night. "[47], Perot helped Risner to later become the Executive Director of the Texans' War on Drugs, and Risner was subsequently appointed by President Ronald Reagan as a United States Delegate to the fortieth session of the United Nations General Assembly. SHOULD READ : "We were lucky to have Risner. 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. [52], Risner was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame by the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society in 2015.[53]. In civilian life, Risner tried a succession of jobs, training as an auto mechanic, operating a gas station, and managing a service garage. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Then, in the most unlikely circumstances, came true greatness. According to fellow prisoner Charles G. Boyd (who retired as a four-star general), Risner told him his name and asked for his name and rank. 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