Medal of Honor: Joe M. Jackson – Vietnam War – May 12, 1968

Name: Joe M. Jackson
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Branch: U.S. Air Force
War: Vietnam War
Unit: 311th Air Commando Squadron
Date of Action: May 12, 1968
Location: Kham Duc, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 12 May 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Joe M. Jackson carried out one of the most daring rescue missions of the Vietnam War during the fall of Kham Duc.

Enemy North Vietnamese forces had overrun the forward defenses around the Special Forces camp and established gun positions overlooking the airstrip.

Mortars, automatic weapons, recoilless rifles, and small-arms fire swept the base continuously.

The camp itself was engulfed in flames.

Ammunition dumps exploded violently, scattering debris across the runway.

Eight aircraft had already been destroyed by enemy fire, and another crippled aircraft remained abandoned on the strip, reducing the usable runway length to only about 2,200 feet.

Amid the chaos, a three-man U.S. Air Force Combat Control Team had been left behind.

Jackson volunteered to rescue them.

Flying a C-123 transport aircraft, he fully understood the risks.

The weather was deteriorating rapidly, enemy fire covered the runway, and there was every possibility his aircraft would be destroyed during the attempt.

Even so, he chose to go in.

Displaying exceptional flying skill and complete disregard for his own safety, Jackson brought the aircraft down onto the shattered airstrip near the area where the stranded airmen were hiding.

As the Combat Control Team raced aboard, enemy fire slammed into the aircraft and surrounding runway.

At one point, a rocket struck directly in front of the nose of the aircraft — but failed to explode.

With the rescue team aboard, Jackson accelerated down the damaged strip under intense hostile fire and managed to get airborne before enemy rounds could destroy the aircraft.

His courage, flying skill, and determination saved the lives of the stranded airmen and reflected the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

Medal of Honor Citation

JACKSON, JOE M.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Lt. Col. Jackson distinguished himself as pilot of a C-123 aircraft. Lt. Col. Jackson volunteered to attempt the rescue of a 3-man USAF Combat Control Team from the special forces camp at Kham Duc. Hostile forces had overrun the forward outpost and established gun positions on the airstrip. They were raking the camp with small arms, mortars, light and heavy automatic weapons, and recoilless rifle fire. The camp was engulfed in flames and ammunition dumps were continuously exploding and littering the runway with debris. In addition, 8 aircraft had been destroyed by the intense enemy fire and 1 aircraft remained on the runway reducing its usable length to only 2,200 feet. To further complicate the landing, the weather was deteriorating rapidly, thereby permitting only 1 air strike prior to his landing. Although fully aware of the extreme danger and likely failure of such an attempt, Lt. Col. Jackson elected to land his aircraft and attempt to rescue. Displaying superb airmanship and extraordinary heroism, he landed his aircraft near the point where the combat control team was reported to be hiding. While on the ground, his aircraft was the target of intense hostile fire. A rocket landed in front of the nose of the aircraft but failed to explode. Once the combat control team was aboard, Lt. Col. Jackson succeeded in getting airborne despite the hostile fire directed across the runway in front of his aircraft. Lt. Col. Jackson’s profound concern for his fellowmen, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself, and the Armed Forces of his country.