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. 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. His five sons had been ages 3 to 16 when he was shot down and imprisoned.[33]. 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]. 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. 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. [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. Race & Ethnicity. Robinson Risner was born on January 16, 1925 in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, USA. He actually had his cast removed to fly his first mission. Risner flew 108 missions in Korea and was credited with the destruction of eight MiG-15s, his final victory occurring January 21, 1953. 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). 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 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. LBJ Cup . At his death, Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh III observed: "Brig. Amid heavy flak from antiaircraft fire, Risner maneuvered his jet behind Logans and, at a speed of more than 200 mph, placed the nose of his plane in the tailpipe of the damaged plane. 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. Robinson Risner, Ace Fighter Pilot, Dies at 88. New York Times, October 28, 2013. View military histories of over 2 million, If you are a veteran, reconnect with people. Bri. 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. 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. [22], On the morning of September 16, 1965, on an Iron Hand mission, Risner flew F-105D 61-0217 as the "hunter" element of a Hunter-Killer Team searching for a SAM site in the vicinity of Tuong Loc, 80 miles south of Hanoi and 10 miles northeast of the Thanh Hoa Bridge. [34], An interview with Risner appears in the 1968 4-chapter East German series Piloten im Pyjama by Walter Heynowski and Gerhard Scheumann. In his words he describes how he survived a torture session in July 1967, handcuffed and in stocks after destroying two pictures of his family to prevent them from being used as propaganda by an East German film crew: To make it, I prayed by the hour. (Capt. He was the first living recipient of the medal.[1]. 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. He was forced to eject when the aircraft, on fire, pitched up out of control. No matter how brutal the beatings, the next day he would be at it again. 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. On 1 August 1975, he became Vice Commander of the USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada and retired from the Air Force on 1 August 1976. In 1946, Risner was involved in an off-duty motorcycle accident. 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. For additional information: 7478. [4], Risner had a religious upbringing as a member of the 1st Assembly of God Church. I did not ask God to take me out of it. He said he would be ready to return to duty after three good meals and a good nights rest.. Risner stayed in radio contact with the rescue helicopter. . Thank you for pointing this out. He maneuvered his aircraft over the Gulf of Tonkin, ejected a mile offshore and was rescued after fifteen minutes in the water. He flew nearly every weekend, and on one occasion, became lost in the fringes of a hurricane on a flight to Brownsville, Texas. Tragically, Joe Logan didn't make it; he became tangled in his parachute lines and drowned. 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. He also became a P-51 Mustang pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. He became in the eyes of others in the business one of two things: the perfect role model, or just plain crazy. 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. Voices of the Vietnam POWs: Witnesses to Their Fight. (1925 - 2013) (RIP) James Rob. Creating an account gives you access to all these features. As they did, the 40 or so men in their cellblock burst into The Star-Spangled Banner. The other six cellblocks also erupted in the national anthem as the three were marched off. 72201. 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. 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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. Campbell, John M., and Hill, Michael (1996). 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. He next served on the joint staff of Commander-in-Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) in Hawaii. He also had his right arm ripped from its socket. 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]. The award is presented annually to the outstanding graduate of the USAF Weapons School. . Summarize this article for a 10 years old. 51-2824, nicknamed Ohio Mike and bearing a large cartoon rendition of Bugs Bunny as nose art, in which he achieved most of his aerial victories. James R. Risner. Robinson Risner, Self: Return with Honor. 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. 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. [7], Risner arrived in Korea on May 10, 1952, assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Kimpo Air Base. But first, he must earn the respect and commitment of his subordinates by demonstrating a personal willingness to assume any risk, physical or moral, that he might later ask of his followers. [5] He also joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard, becoming a P-51 Mustang pilot and flew nearly every weekend. Brigadier Robinson Risner. U.S. Air Force. 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. 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's squadron led the first Rolling Thunder strike, bombing an ammunition dump approximately ten miles north of the Demilitarized Zone between the two Vietnams. 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. Encyclopedia of Arkansas He flew his badly damaged aircraft over heavily fortified hostile territory before successfully landing at a friendly airfield. [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. 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. [32] He was a POW for seven years, four months, and 27 days. He died on October 22, 2013 in Bridgewater, Virginia, USA. [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. In his words: To make it, I prayed by the hour. 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. 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. Subsequent to that said he received his first Air Force Cross in April 1965 for leading air strikes against a strategicbridge in North Vietnam. 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. [3] By the time Risner entered high school, his father was self-employed, selling used cars. 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. [17] 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 that rescued his wingman. answer explanation . Copyright 2003-2021. McCarthy, Mary (March 7, 1974). Robinson Risner was often assigned to fly F-86E-10 Sabrejet, nicknamed Ohio Mike and bearing a large cartoon rendition of Bugs Bunny as nose art, in which he achieved most of his aerial victoriesOn Sept. 15, 1952, his fighter unit found itself in a fierce dogfight over the Yalu River near the East China Sea when he noticed that the plane of his wingman, 1st Lt. Joseph Logan, had been hit and was leaking fuel. He became an ace by shooting down eight enemy MiG fighters. [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. 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. 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. Risner's exploits earned him the award of the Air Force Cross and resulted in his being featured as the cover portrait of the April 23, 1965 issue of Time magazine. Postwar peace and return to civilian life brought mundane employment for Robinson Risner as an auto mechanic, a service station manager and a short stint running a service garage. 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. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness, Colonel Risner reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 55, Site 626. He was on his 55th combat mission at the time. 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. They were 60 miles from friendly territory and he knew his fellow pilot would never make it. [31] After publication of the book, McCarthy strenuously attacked both Risner (deeming him "unlikeable") and Risner's credibility in a review. On Feb. 12, 1973, he was among the first group of prisoners to be released from North Vietnam. 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. 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. [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. At his passing, Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh III observed: "Brig. 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. Portrait of General James Robinson Risner. [3], Risner had a religious upbringing as a member of the 1st Assembly of God Church. 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. 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. Subsequently, he served as commander of the 34th Fighter-Day Squadron, also at George Air Force Base. (In reference to that remark, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, dedicated a nine-foot-tall statue of Risner in 2001.). He was promoted to the grade of Brigadier General in May 1974. Always it would make sense, be crisp and to the point. 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. 100 Rock Street [16], From August 1960 to July 1961, he attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Grumbach, Doris (March 16, 1974). Risner's family life during and following his imprisonment was marked by several personal tragedies. Others were tortured and never seen again. 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.[4]. Divergent Prosperity and the Arc of Reform (1968-2022) Type. . "It is said among the flying community that the Risner Award in combat aviation is like the Heisman Trophy in college football, said Vargas." Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ", 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. 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. After two attempts, Risner was forced to discontinue when leaking fuel and hydraulic fluid covered his canopy and threatened to stall his own engine. (Davis, p. 46), Another flight member, 1st Lt. Willard P. Dunbar, reported that the MiG pilot was a red-headed Russian who shook his fist at Risner before crashing. Risner's wingman was shot down in the opening pass, and the mission was in danger of collapsing when Risner took charge. [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. 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. [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. In June, when the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, also at Kimpo, sought experienced pilots, he arranged a transfer to 4th Fighter Wing. Gender. Risner, James Robinson . 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. Risner, in Davis (1978), p. 46, is quoted as identifying the airfield as "Tak Tung Kau". 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. [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. Robinson Risner. U.S. Air Force pilot James Robinson Risner, a 2015 inductee into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame. His aerial skill and heroic actions set an example for the others to follow. [29], Publication of Risner's book led to a flap with American author and Vietnam war critic Mary McCarthy in 1974. He was the fifth of seven children. [28] He was on his 55th combat mission at the time. 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. The two had met, apparently at McCarthy's request,[36] when McCarthy visited Hanoi in April 1968. SHOULD READ : He next served on the joint staff of Commander-in-Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) in Hawaii.[15]. (Tillman, "Frances Kiernan"). [25] Initial attempts to locate and destroy the SA-2 Guideline sites, known as Iron Hand missions, were both unsuccessful and costly. Additional support provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council. TogetherWeServed.com Inc. All Rights Reserved | Not a U.S. Government Website. 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 . Heavy ground fire struck Risner's F-105 in its air intakes when he popped up over a hill to make his attack. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, the former Dorothy Miller Williams, of Bridgewater; six children; a sister; and 14 grandchildren.