[31] After publication of the book, McCarthy strenuously attacked both Risner (deeming him "unlikeable") and Risner's credibility in a review. 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. Campbell, John M., and Hill, Michael (1996). Thompson, Warren E., and McLaren, David R. (2002). 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. Robinson Risner, Ace Fighter Pilot, Dies at 88. New York Times, October 28, 2013. Colonel Risner initiated the attack, directing his aircraft into the target in the face of heavy automatic ground fire. He was extensively tortured for information but successfully resisted their demands and established a standard of honorable conduct and resistance which was followed by hundreds of Americans after him. Then, in the most unlikely circumstances, came true greatness. SURVEY . Robinson Risner, Air Force Ace and POW, Dies at 88. Washington Post, October 29, 2013. 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]. 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. Gen. James Robinson Risner. [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. 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. Encyclopedia of Arkansas A miniature replica, also donated by Perot, is presented to each year's recipient as a personal memento. 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. 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. In 1946, Risner was involved in an off-duty motorcycle accident. Time magazine featured him on the cover of its April 23, 1965, issue, which highlighted a dozen Americans serving in Vietnam. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. James Robinson (Robbie) Risner, a native of Mammoth Spring (Fulton County), was a much-decorated fighter pilot famed for his resistance to his North Vietnamese captors as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. [7], Risner arrived in Korea on May 10, 1952, assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Kimpo Air Base. 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 was awarded the Silver Star for a September 15, 1952, action in which his wingmans jet was damaged during fighting with enemy aircraft. List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces. As soon as he was eligible, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces, having been accepted as an aviation cadet. He was promoted to brigadier general in May 1974. In October 1952 Risner was promoted to major and named operations officer of the 336th FIS. 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. [n 1] During their defense of the bombers, Risner's flight overflew the MiG base at Antung Airfield, China. Risner's squadron was tasked with flak suppression, dropping CBU-2 "cluster bombs" from extremely low altitude. I prayed he would give me strength to endure it. He was captured by North Vietnamese while still trying to extricate himself from his parachute. While undergoing hospital treatment in the Army, he met his first wife, Kathleen Shaw, a nurse from Ware Shoals, South Carolina. Lyndon B Johnson Cup. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. 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. [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. They were 60 miles from friendly territory and he knew his fellow pilot would never make it. 100 Rock Street He was previously married to Dorothy Miller Williams and Kathleen Shaw. Male. He flew nearly every weekend, and on one occasion, became lost in the fringes of a hurricane on a flight to Brownsville, Texas. 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. [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. Bri. Also in attendance was retired Gen. Charles G. Boyd, his fellow POW. Robbie Risner was born on January 16, 1925, in Mammoth Spring, the son of sharecroppers Grover W. Risner and Lora Grace Robinson Risner. He was forced to eject when the aircraft, on fire, pitched up out of control. The extremely harsh treatment inflicted upon him was to become a way of life for him in the subsequent years. He completed transition training in P-40 Warhawk and P-39 Airacobra fighters before being assigned to the 30th Fighter Squadron in Panama. During their defense of the bombers, Risner's flight overflew the MiG base at Antung Airfield, China. Forces in Southeast Asia. "[51], The chapter squadron of the Arnold Air Society for Southern California, based on the AFROTC detachment of California State University, San Bernardino, is named for 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,[28] in defiance of North Vietnamese authorities. New York: Random House, 1973. [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. 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. He directed his aircraft over the Gulf of Tonkin, ejected, and was rescued. Grumbach, Doris (March 16, 1974). The trophy is permanently displayed at the United States Air Force Academy, with each winner's name inscribed. ", 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. [3] By the time Risner entered high school, his father was self-employed, selling used cars. Ann Blodzinski, Frisbee, "Valor: When Push Came to Shove", Grumbach, "The Art of Reviewing By Innuendo", "1957 Spirit of St. Louis II Sets Atlantic Record" (newsreel), "Dogfights: F-86 Sabres Battle at Extreme Speeds in the Korean War", U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War, U.S. Morrocco, John, and Manning, Robert (1984). He wrestled for Tulsa Central High School, where he graduated in 1942. [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. alternatives . The downed aircraft was the first F-105 lost to hostile fire in Southeast Asia, but the pilot, Capt. White. It was never threatening, always gentle and optimistic, like a loving father giving guidance to his son. In 1976, he met his second wife, Dorothy Marie ("Dot") Williams, widow of a fighter pilot missing-in-action in 1967, and subsequently married her after her missing husband was declared dead. Risner, low on fuel and in a battle damaged aircraft, diverted to Danang air base for landing. On the afternoon of April 3, the strike package of Rolling Thunder Mission 9 Alpha consisted of 79 aircraft, including 46 F-105s. 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. [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. [52], Risner was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame by the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society in 2015.[53]. Your email address will not be published. He also became a P-51 Mustang pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. 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. What award is for the nation's best candidate program? (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. As a leader of the POWs, Risner set up committees, assigned tasks and helped set up communication systems through tapping, scraping walls and even coughing. Later that same month, Robbie was featured on the cover of Time magazine. [28][31], Risner spent more than three years in solitary confinement. Gen. James Robinson Risner . Double ACE and prisoner of war in Vietnam. In civilian life, Risner tried a succession of jobs, training as an auto mechanic, operating a gas station, and managing a service garage. Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Archives (1985). On October 19, 2012, ground was broken at the Air Force Academy for its new Center for Character and Leadership Development. [19], On April 3 and 4, 1965, Risner acted as mission commander on two large missions attacking the Thanh Hoa Bridge in North Vietnam. He completed transition training in P-40 Warhawk and P-39 Airacobra fighters before being assigned to the 30th Fighter Squadron in Panama. and his oldest son, Robbie Jr., died two years after his return of a congenital heart defect. 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. 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. He was promoted to the grade of Brigadier General in May 1974. 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. a brigadier general in 1976. Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions: U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. "[39][40][41][n 10], Risner was promoted to colonel after his capture, with a date of rank of November 11, 1965. Gen. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was part of that legendary . 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. The 2023 NAACP Image Awards also honored Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade, recipients of the President's Award. 7478. 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. He was the fifth of seven children. Correll, John T. Nine Feet Tall. Air Force Magazine, February 2012, pp. [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. Risner died at his home in Bridgewater, Virginia, on October 22, 2013, following a series of strokes. 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 . 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. His story of being imprisoned drew wide acclaim after that war's end. 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. Subsequently, he served as commander of the 34th Fighter-Day Squadron, also at George Air Force Base. Unfortunately, the Time magazine article featuring Risner made its way to his captors. Risner was able to re-establish contact and guide the powerless plane out over the sea until fluids threatened to stall his own engine. The meeting, described as "stilted",[30] resulted in an unflattering portrait of McCarthy in Risner's book, primarily because she failed to note scars and other evidence of torture he had made plain to her. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner 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. He was the first living recipient of the medal.[1]. Portrait of General James Robinson Risner. 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. [49][54][55] Risner was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on January 23, 2014. Kiley, Frederick, and Rochester, Stuart I (1999). Ungraded . All, however, held him in awe. Major support provided through a partnership with the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. On these dates Colonel Risner led two successive operations against vitally important and heavily defended targets. Read our Privacy Policy. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He was captured by North Vietnamese while still trying to extricate himself from his parachute. 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. When he passed the tough entrance exam for pilot training by one point, his future aloft was set. [18], On March 22, 1965, flying F-105D 624233, Risner was hit by ground fire while leading two flights of F-105s attacking a radar site near Vinh Son. Additional support provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council. Local man to be inducted into the Arkansas Military H.O.F. 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