THE WALL OF FACES

I remember Capt Draeger well. In 1963 I shared a house with he and 4 other AF officers and my responsibilities were that of straightening up the front room each night and washing the weekend dishes. I read about the 1965 incident where he was KIAMIA in the AF Times when he was awarded the AF Cross. As fate would have it I was assigned to the unit (Det 10, 1131 USAF Sp Acty Gp) he was in on my tour of duty to Vietnam in 1968-1969. He was a fine AF officer when I knew him and was proud to have read of the details of the incident where he gave the ultimate sacrifice. CMSgt Ray Roberts (USAF Ret)

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand ot do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

Walter,
This year my 8th grade students have begun work on a project to put faces with the names of each of the 1158 men from the state of Wisconsin who are listed on "The Wall." It is our hope that through your picture your legacy will live forever.

Thank you for your service to your country and for your sacrifice.

You are not forgotten.


Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin State Historical Society

CAPTAIN

WALTER FRANK DRAEGER JR


was a posthumous recipient of the


AIR FORCE CROSS


who remains to this day as being


/////// -- MISSING IN ACTION -- \\\





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



CITATION FOR AWARD OF THE

AIR FORCE CROSS

TO

*DRAEGER, WALTER FRANK, JR.

( MISSING IN ACTION )

Captain

United States Air Force

Date of Action: 4 April 1965


The Air Force Cross is presented to Walter Frank Draeger, Jr., Captain, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 4 April 1965. On that date, Captain Draeger volunteered to fly as a Fighter-Advisor with the Vietnamese Air Force into an area of known heavily concentrated antiaircraft artillery. He participated in a highly successful bombing mission of a vital Viet Cong target, contributing materially to its destruction. On the return flight from the primary target, Captain Draeger's flight leader was shot down by hostile ground fire. Captain Draeger immediately called for search and rescue assistance. Although completely alone and within range of the hostile ground fire, he orbited the area of his downed flight leader until the unarmed search and rescue aircraft arrived in the vicinity. Upon arrival in the area, over which Captain Draeger was flying protective cover, the unarmed rescue aircraft requested fire suppression assistance. Captain Draeger commenced a firing pass to allow the rescue aircraft to safely enter the area. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he made the strafing run into the hostile fire. Ignoring the air bursts from shore batteries, Captain Draeger pressed his attack and, in so doing, sacrificed his own life. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Draeger reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.



14 February 1999

I am an Airman, serving in the United States Air Force. When I was in Basic Training, I had bought a braclet with your name on it. Till this day I never take it off. I wear the braclet in your honor. Thanks for all you did.

Would like to get in touch with the family.