Medal of Honor: Richard L. Etchberger – U.S. Air Force – Vietnam War

Name: Richard L. Etchberger
Rank: Chief Master Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Unit: Detachment 1, 1043d Radar Evaluation Squadron
Place: Phou Pha Thi (Lima Site 85), Laos
Entered Service At: Hamburg, Pennsylvania
Born: 5 March 1933
Date of Issue: September 21, 2010
Accredited To: Pennsylvania

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Summary of Action

On March 11, 1968, Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger and a small team of U.S. Air Force technicians were operating a highly classified radar installation at Lima Site 85 atop Phou Pha Thi in Laos.

The site guided American bombing missions over North Vietnam and was considered one of the most important secret installations in Southeast Asia.

Before dawn, North Vietnamese forces launched a massive assault on the mountaintop base.

Heavy artillery fire pounded the installation as enemy troops overran the position.

Etchberger’s crew suffered devastating casualties.

With most of his team dead or badly wounded—and despite having little formal combat training—Etchberger took up an M-16 rifle and single-handedly defended the radar site.

While firing on advancing enemy soldiers, he simultaneously directed air strikes and radioed for rescue helicopters.

His fierce resistance prevented the enemy from seizing the site and protected the wounded men still alive beside him.

When rescue helicopters finally arrived, Etchberger exposed himself to intense enemy fire to load the wounded into rescue slings hanging from the hovering aircraft.

One by one, he lifted his injured comrades and secured them into the sling.

Only after the last survivor was safely lifted away did he climb into the sling himself.

As he was being hoisted toward the helicopter, enemy fire struck him.

Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger died moments later.

Because of his courage and determination, the surviving members of his crew were rescued.

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Medal of Honor Citation

ETCHBERGER, RICHARD L.

Place and date: Phou Pha Thi, Laos, 11 March 1968.

Born: 5 March 1933.

Accredited to: Pennsylvania.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Chief Etchberger and his team of technicians were manning a top secret defensive position at Lima Site 85 when the base was overrun by an enemy ground force. Receiving sustained and withering heavy artillery attacks directly upon his unit’s position, Chief Etchberger’s entire crew lay dead or severely wounded. Despite having received little or no combat training, Chief Etchberger single-handedly held off the enemy with an M-16, while simultaneously directing air strikes into the area and calling for air rescue. Because of his fierce defense and heroic and selfless actions, he was able to deny the enemy access to his position and save the lives of his remaining crew. With the arrival of the rescue aircraft, Chief Etchberger, without hesitation, repeatedly and deliberately risked his own life, exposing himself to heavy enemy fire in order to place three surviving wounded comrades into rescue slings hanging from the hovering helicopter waiting to airlift them to safety. With his remaining crew safely aboard, Chief Etchberger finally climbed into an evacuation sling himself, only to be fatally wounded by enemy ground fire as he was being raised into the aircraft. Chief Etchberger’s bravery and determination in the face of persistent enemy fire and overwhelming odds are in keeping with the highest standards of performance and traditions of military service. Chief Etchberger’s gallantry, self-sacrifice, and profound concern for his fellow men at risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.