James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was born in 1925 in Arkansas, to a sharecropping family struggling to make ends meet. [15], In July 1956, he was transferred to George Air Force Base, California as operations officer of the 413th Fighter Wing. Grumbach, Doris (March 16, 1974). 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. 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 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 is the first living recipient of the Air Force's highest award, the Air Force Cross, which he received twice. All, however, held him in awe. 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. The retired brigadier general was 88-years-old. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. [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. Rate and review titles you borrow and share your opinions on them. Baird, W. David, and Goble, Danney (1994). Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness, Colonel Risner reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. He completed transition training in P-40 Warhawk and P-39 Airacobra fighters before being assigned to the 30th Fighter Squadron in Panama. He also became a P-51 Mustang pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. [4], In addition to a love of sports, Risner's interests were primarily in riding horses and motorcycles.[3]. Risner in 1973 after being released as a POW by the North Vietnamese, Risner's call sign this date was "John Red Lead". [33][34], Risner was released in Operation Homecoming on 12 February 1973 and returned to the United States. Forces in Southeast Asia. Risner was able to re-establish contact and guide the powerless plane out over the sea until fluids threatened to stall his own engine. Donations made to the CALS Foundation are tax-deductible for United States federal income tax purposes. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 55, Site 626. As storm clouds gathered over Southeast Asia in 1964, Risner arrived in the region, as if on cue, to take command of a fighter-bomber squadron in preparation for the larger war nearly everyone saw coming. Online at http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/30/local/la-me-robinson-risner-20131031 (accessed December 16, 2017). James Robinson "Robbie" Risner : Rank, Service: Brigadier General O-7, U.S. Air Force. Time magazine featured him on the cover of its April 23, 1965, issue, which highlighted a dozen Americans serving in Vietnam. Risner shut down his own engine in an attempt to save fuel, but eventually his engine flamed out and he glided to a deadstick landing at Kimpo. [31] After publication of the book, McCarthy strenuously attacked both Risner (deeming him "unlikeable") and Risner's credibility in a review. 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. Were going to get through this, and Ill see you when its over., Using coded messages that could be passed with the flash of a hand or the whisk of the broom, Risner encouraged his several hundred fellow Americans at Hoa Lo to hang tough and resist until you are tortured but never lose your ability to think.. He maneuvered his aircraft over the Gulf of Tonkin, ejected a mile offshore and was rescued after fifteen minutes in the water. On 10 March 2018, Risner was named the Class Exemplar for the United States Air Force Academy's Class of 2021. The day after his arrival he returned to Korea when he learned that MiGs were operational. Flying came easily to the gifted trainee, which led to a coveted assignment flying fighters after graduation. Risner became the inspiration for all of the confused and scared young men in a very hostile environment. 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. Risner's family life during and following his imprisonment was marked by several personal tragedies. U.S. Air Force Academy receives $3.5 million gift for Character and Leadership Development, The Brigadier General James Robinson Risner Squadron, Risner, James Robinson "Robbie" RIP 10/22/2013, Retired AF general was senior ranking POW at Hanoi Hilton, USAF photo of Risner during Operation Homecoming, "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, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Robinson_Risner&oldid=1129520797, 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, United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War, Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States), United States Air Force personnel of the Korean War, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Schudel, Matt. 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. "[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. He was promoted to brigadier general in May 1974. He was previously married to Dorothy Miller Williams and Kathleen Shaw. 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. 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 was the fifth of seven children. As soon as he was eligible, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces, having been accepted as an aviation cadet. Jet fuel and hydraulic fluid spewed out from the damaged Sabre onto Risner's canopy, obscuring his vision, and turbulence kept separating the two jets. Wingman Joe Logan bailed out over water and became entangled in his parachute cords, however, drowning before rescuers could reach him. He was eulogized by Perot and General Welsh with fellow former POWs and current members of the 336th Fighter Squadron among those in attendance. "[2], Risner in 1973 after being released as a POW by the North Vietnamese. 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. 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. J. Prisoners of War during the Vietnam War, California State University, San Bernardino, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Names and Citations of Recipients of the Air Force Cross, Shaw fighter pilot named best in the Air Force, "Eagle Biography Robinson 'Robbie' Risner", Logan Memorial at Korean War casualty Database, "Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale: Vietnam War Hero and Indomitable Spirit at the Hanoi Hilton". He directed his aircraft over the Gulf of Tonkin, ejected, and was rescued. The downed aircraft was the first F-105 lost to hostile fire in Southeast Asia, but the pilot, Capt. The trophy is permanently displayed at the United States Air Force Academy, with each winner's name inscribed. 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. Robbie Risner was born on January 16, 1925, in Mammoth Spring, the son of sharecroppers Grover W. Risner and Lora Grace Robinson Risner. Voices of the Vietnam POWs: Witnesses to Their Fight. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner (born January 16, 1925) [1] was a general officer and professional fighter pilot in the United States Air Force . No matter how brutal the beatings, the next day he would be at it again. [8], His first two months of combat saw little contact with MiGs, and although a flight leader, he took a three-day leave to Japan in early August. In August 1964, Lieutenant Colonel Risner took command of the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, an F-105D Thunderchief fighter-bomber unit based at Kadena AB, Okinawa, as part of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing. With Risner we had spirituality. In 1946, Risner was involved in an off-duty motorcycle accident. He wrestled for Tulsa Central High School, where he graduated in 1942. 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. Robinson Risner, Ace Fighter Pilot, Dies at 88. New York Times, October 28, 2013. On the afternoon of April 3, the strike package of Rolling Thunder Mission 9 Alpha consisted of 79 aircraft, including 46 F-105s. The Passing of the Night. Gen. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was part of that legendary group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave us an enduring example of courage and mission success Today's Airmen know we stand on the shoulders of giants. 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. James R. Risner. [25] While held prisoner in Hoa Loa, Risner served first as Senior Ranking Officer and later as Vice Commander of the provisional 4th Allied Prisoner of War Wing. 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. 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. (Thompson and McLaren, p. 67). In his book, Risner attributes faith in God and prayer as being instrumental to his surviving the Hanoi prison experience. Risner spent more than three years in solitary confinement. [49][54][55] Risner was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on January 23, 2014. [16], In August 1964, Lieutenant Colonel Risner took command of the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, an F-105D Thunderchief fighter-bomber unit based at Kadena AB, Okinawa, and part of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing. 100 Rock Street On March 22, 1965, while leading two flights of F-105s attacking a radar site near Vinh Son, North Vietnam, Risner was hit by ground fire when he circled back over the target. 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. SHOULD READ : It was never threatening, always gentle and optimistic, like a loving father giving guidance to his son. 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. On September 21, 1952, he shot down his fifth MiG. [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. Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions: U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. 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. Tactics were revised in which "Hunter-Killer Teams" were created. 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 . [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. 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. 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. Gen. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was part of that legendary group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave us an enduring example of courage and mission success Today's Airmen know we stand on the shoulders of giants. The award is presented annually to the outstanding graduate of the USAF Weapons School. "The Art of Reviewing By Innuendo". The 30th FS was based on a primitive airstrip without permanent facilities at Aguadulce, on the Gulf of Panama. In his words: To make it, I prayed by the hour. Arriving at Kimpo in the middle of the night, he joined his flight which was on alert status. 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.. Howes, Craig. Comedian Kevin Fredericks won the Outstanding Social Media Personality award on Friday. All Rights Reserved. In July 1973 USAF assigned him to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, where he became combat ready in the F-4 Phantom II. 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 . On Feb. 12, 1973, he was among the first group of prisoners to be released from North Vietnam. Other articles related to "legacy ": X86 . 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. 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. 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. Because of the Time cover story, he would become one of the highest-profile U.S. prisoners of the Vietnam War. Encyclopedia of Arkansas 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. On October 19, 2012, ground was broken at the Air Force Academy for its new Center for Character and Leadership Development. On the initial attack, while exposing himself to heavy ground fire, with complete disregard for his personal safety, Colonel Risner's aircraft sustained a direct hit in the left forward bomb-bay area, filling the cockpit with smoke and fumes. The CALS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Robinson deliberately concealed the injury, which would have grounded him, until able to convince a flight surgeon that the injury had healed. "On Colonel Risner". and his oldest son, Robbie Jr., died two years after his return of a congenital heart defect. Give a donation in someones name to mark a special occasion, honor a friend or colleague or remember a beloved family member. He was forced to eject when the aircraft, on fire, pitched up out of control. 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. [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). 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