US Air Force Academy (Official)

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This is a story of Unbroken Will: The Captain Lance P. Sijan Story

On the night of November 9, 1967, for his 52nd combat mission, Sijan and pilot Lt. Col. John Armstrong were tasked with a bombing mission to Ban Laboy ford in Laos. As they rolled in on their target to release their ordnance, their F-4C (AF Ser. No. 64-0751) was engulfed in a ball of fire due to the bomb fuses malfunctioning and causing a premature detonation on their release. Sijan managed to eject from the aircraft, and although likely rendered unconscious in the ejection, his parachute landed him on a rocky limestone karst ridge adjacent to the target.


Sijan boarding a F-4 Phantom II
From the night of 9/10 November to the morning of 11 November, no electronic or radio signals were heard from either Sijan or Armstrong. However, early on the morning of 11 November, Sijan made radio contact with a Misty FAC F-100F aircraft that was flying over his crash site. For the duration of that day, the USAF launched a massive effort to locate his position, and 'soften up' the numerous enemy air defences in his area. At dusk, the SAR forces were finally able to position a CH-3 Jolly Green Giant helicopter near Sijan's position. (During this overall rescue operation, over 20 aircraft were damaged by anti-aircraft fire, and many had to return to base. One A-1H aircraft was shot down, though its pilot was soon rescued by a SAR helicopter on station. Sijan, refusing to put other airmen in danger, insisted on trying to crawl to a jungle penetrator lowered by the helicopter, and he opposed the helicopter's Para-Jumper (PJ) coming down to find and rescue him. Sadly, the helicopter crew could not see him in the heavy jungle, and strangely, they did not deploy the PJ to find and rescue Sijan


Born April 13, 1942
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died January 22, 1968 (aged 25)
Hoa Lo, North Vietnam
Place of burial Arlington Park Cemetery
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch Seal of the United States Department of the Air Force.svg United States Air Force
Years of service 1960–1968
Rank Captain (posthumous)
Unit 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing
Battles/wars Vietnam War †
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal (6)

May this Medal of Honor Airman Rest In Everlasting Peace...