Despite having little combat training, Etchberger held off the enemy while simultaneously directing air strikes into the area of Lima Site 85 and calling for air rescue. When a helicopter arrived in the morning, Etchberger repeatedly and deliberately risked his own life. He braved enemy fire to place three wounded technicians in helicopter slings.He sadly passed away and his story revealed 42 years later.
0:00 - intro
1:40 - The PDG Photo
11:26 - Today is March 11th - The day Chief passed - how are you feeling?
17:05 - Was there a moment where you felt the presence of your father the most?
20:00 - “My father would be very proud of this Air Force”
23:00 - If you could ask your dad one question - what would it be?
28:40 - Growing up as a family - Childhood w/Chief Etchberger
37:40 - communicating back in the good ole days
39:18 - Secret CIA mission begins
43:10 - Peace talks are not working - “Let’s bomb them” - new technique
44:40 - Lima Site 85
48:00 - Ho Chi Minh Trail
50:36 - The Ambush
54:25 - Eye witness accounts of Chief fighting back
56:45 - 42 years of secrecy
58:40 - The part that breaks my heart the most
1:00:30 - The aftermath
1:06:10 - A wife sworn to protect the truth
1:10:50 - AF Cross hidden in a closet, why?
1:13:22 - The behind the scenes Hero - A Mother’s Legacy
1:16:45 - How the Etchberger Foundation changes lives
1:19:58 - Welcomed back to the AF family
1:21:53 - How talks of a MOH came up after 42 years
1:27:30 - When President Obama calls - you answer
1:32:04 - the 3 different types of MOH ceremonies
1:39:00 - Listener questions by TSgt Bree Mcconnell, SrA Kaylee Stewart, Maj (ret) Bill White, and MSgt Nathan Coy from the Wartime Leadership Podcast
1:56:40 - Why I love Cory so much
1:58:28 - I read a review! Submitted by Whitney Bryden. I also give my afterthoughts on the episode.
Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger was one of the most highly trained radar technicians in the U.S. Air Force. A highly-effective and well-liked leader, he was the crew chief of a radar team on LS 85 the night of the attack.
Despite having little combat training, Etchberger held off the enemy while simultaneously directing air strikes into the area and calling for air rescue. When a helicopter arrived in the morning, Etchberger repeatedly and deliberately risked his own life. He left his safe position and braved enemy fire to place three wounded technicians in helicopter slings.
With his remaining crew safely aboard, Etchberger finally climbed into the rescue sling. Tragically, a burst of enemy ground fire fatally wounded him as the helicopter turned away from the mountain.
For his heroism and sacrifice, Etchberger received the Air Force Cross posthumously. The operation remained classified, however, and the existence of the award was not publicly acknowledged until 1998. After the declassification of LS 85 and a reevaluation of his actions, Etchberger was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2010.
