Yokota recognizes MOH recipient in ceremony

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Desiree Economides
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  On a dreary, rain-soaked afternoon, Airmen, their families and civilian counterparts paid respect to one of the United States Air Force's fallen heroes in a Medal of Honor Rededication Ceremony, March 9, 2012 at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

During the ceremony, members of Team Yokota were joined by Rich and Cory Etchberger, sons of Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger, to recognize him for his selfless sacrifice.

"This was a long overdue ceremony. President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Chief Etchberger in 2010 and our monument needed to be updated," said Chief Master Sgt. Rick Ramos, Yokota Chief's Group president. "As the Chief's we felt it was our duty to recognize one of our greatest American heroes."

Unlike many Medal of Honor recipients, Chief Etchberger was not immediately recognized for his heroism; it wasn't until 1982 when his mission was declassified that anyone knew of his actions.

Chief Etchberger's story begins in 1967, when he and his wife were flown to Washington, where they were both sworn to secrecy about his next assignment: He was to become one of some 40 Airmen tasked to operate covert radar installations in Laos. Since the American military did not officially operate in neutral Laos, Chief Etchberger and the other technicians had to leave the Air Force and become civilian employees of Lockheed Aircraft Services, which as a private company was allowed to operate in Laos. Chief Etchberger was one of a team of 19 who operated Lima Site 85 from November 1967 to March 1968. During this time, they directed 507 strike missions in North Vietnam and Laos - 27 percent of all such missions in these areas.

The strikes attracted the attention of the North Vietnamese military, which attacked the site from the air before infiltrating sniper and combat troops to surround the installation. On March 11, 1968, hundreds of North Vietnamese soldiers attacked. A commando team that had scaled the sheer cliff ambushed around 3 a.m., quickly killing most of the operating team. Chief Etchberger and several of his colleagues were pinned down by rifle fire and beset by grenades, which they kicked away while returning fire. Chief Etchberger displayed exceptional heroism during this battle.

Chief Etchberger had placed two comrades in the helicopter's rescue sling before bear-hugging one more into the sling and to safety. But as the helicopter lifted off, it was stuck with a barrage of armor-piercing fire. One bullet pierced the underbelly, and struck Chief Etchberger. He bled to death before the rescue craft could reach the hospital.

It is for his actions that he received the Medal of Honor in 2010 and the reason he is added to the monument at Yokota.

"This monument we have here is the most important one we have on this base," said Col. Otto Feather, 374th Airlift Wing commander. "The Air Force has lost a lot of Airmen over the years and they are due great respect and honor."

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