Air Force Memorial to Host Engraving Ceremony for CMSgt Etchberger

Next week AFA's Air Force Memorial will be hosting an engraving ceremony for Medal of Honor Recipient Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger!

On Friday, March 11, 2011, an unveiling ceremony recognizing Etchberger’s name on the Valor, Courage and Sacrifice Wall at the AF Memorial will commence at 10:30 a.m.
[For directions, go here >>>]

Etchberger received the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest decoration, posthumously for his heroic actions in combat on March 11, 1968, during the Vietnam War.

About Etchberger:
As a radar technician, he served at the summit of one of the tallest mountains in Laos, where he and a small team manned a radar station guiding American pilots in the air campaign against North Vietnam.

On March 11, 1968, the site came under attack from North Vietnamese soldiers. Chief Etchberger continued to direct air strikes and call for air rescue on his emergency radio, thus enabling the air evacuation force to locate their position. Etchberger tended to the wounded and fought off the advancing North Vietnamese troops until a rescue helicopter arrived.

Etchberger loaded his wounded men, one by one, each time exposing himself to enemy fire. But as the helicopter headed toward an air base in Thailand, an enemy soldier below fired into the underside of the aircraft, fatally wounding Etchberger. Of those 19 men on the mountain that night, only seven made it out alive. Three of them owed their lives to the actions of Chief Etchberger.

The Medal of Honor was presented to Etchberger's sons by President Obama at a White House ceremony on September 21, 2010.

Back in November 2010, AFA's Air Force Magazine, did an amazing feature on Etchberger. Check it out here: "Etchberger, Medal of Honor"

Please join us for this special ceremony in honor of CMSgt Richard L. Etchberger, for serving above and beyond the call of duty.

*Important Note: Military should be in their uniform of the day while civilians are requested to wear business attire.