RICHARD L ETCHBERGER
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HONORED ON PANEL 44E, LINE 15 OF THE WALL

RICHARD LOY ETCHBERGER

WALL NAME

RICHARD L ETCHBERGER

PANEL / LINE

44E/15

DATE OF BIRTH

10/04/1940

DATE OF CASUALTY

03/11/1968

HOME OF RECORD

HAMBURG

COUNTY OF RECORD

Berks County

STATE

PA

BRANCH OF SERVICE

AIR FORCE

RANK

CMS

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Contact Details

REMEMBRANCES

LEFT FOR RICHARD LOY ETCHBERGER
POSTED ON 2.19.2018

The Fall of Lima Site 85

On March 11, 1968, North Vietnamese Army sappers overran the U.S. Tactical Air Control and Navigation (TACAN) site, also known as Lima Site 85, located on the summit of Phou Pha Mountain in Houa Phan Province, Laos. During the early morning attack, PAVN sappers scaled the mountain’s eastern slopes and initiated the assault on the American facility. Shortly after 8:00 AM, Air America helicopters, covered by USAF A-1 Skyraiders, attempted to evacuate the 19 personnel at the site. Only eight Americans were extracted, one of which died enroute to Udorn Air Base in Thailand. The engagement was the largest single ground combat loss of United States Air Force members during the Vietnam War. A total of 12 airmen were missing or killed in the fighting on Phou Pha; eleven were killed or missing on the ground, and one, CMS Richard L. Etchberger, was wounded after getting on the evacuation helicopter, bleeding to death during the flight. In addition, a USAF pilot, COL Donald E. Westbrook, was shot down in his A-1E Skyraider and killed while searching for survivors. By mid-day on March 11th, the USAF mission changed from recovery of the missing personnel to the bombing of Lima Site 85 to destroy any captured radar equipment. The 95 strike sorties over six days may have had the effect of obliterating some of the bodies of U.S. personnel left behind at the site. The still unaccounted-for airmen of the 1043rd Radar Evaluation Squadron include MSGT James H. Calfee, SSGT James W. Davis, SSGT Henry G. Gish, TSGT Willis R. Hall, TSGT Melvin A. Holland, SSGT Herbert A. Kirk, SGT David S. Price, TSGT Donald K. Springsteadah, and SSGT Don F. Worley. TSGT Patrick L. Shannon’s remains were repatriated April 7, 2003, and positively identified on October 31, 2005. LTC Clarence F. Blanton’s remains were accounted for on July 26, 2012. COL Westbrook, the A-1E pilot, was repatriated September 3, 1998, and his remains were positively identified on February 14, 2007. CMS Etchberger, fatally wounded on the rescue aircraft, was awarded the Air Force Cross, which was upgraded to the Medal of Honor on September 21, 2010. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, limasite85.us, and wikipedia.org]
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POSTED ON 3.23.2016
POSTED BY: Bob Ahles, Vietnam Vet, St. Cloud, MN

Peace with Honor

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Richard.
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POSTED ON 3.11.2014
POSTED BY: Curt Carter [email protected]

Remembering An American Hero

Dear CMS Richard Loy Etchberger, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter
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POSTED ON 3.11.2014
POSTED BY: A Grateful Vietnam Vet

Medal of Honor Citation

Medal of Honor

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Chief Master Sergeant Richard Loy Etchberger (AFSN: 13409393), United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Chief Master Sergeant Etchberger distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism on 11 March 1968, in the country of Laos, while assigned as Ground Radar Superintendent, Detachment 1, 1043d Radar Evaluation Squadron. On that date, Chief Etchberger and his team of technicians were manning a top secret defensive position at Lima Site 85 when the base was overrun by an enemy ground force. Receiving sustained and withering heavy artillery attacks directly upon his unit's position, Chief Etchberger's entire crew lay dead or severely wounded. Despite having received little or no combat training, Chief Etchberger single-handedly held off the enemy with an M-16, while simultaneously directing air strikes into the area and calling for air rescue. Because of his fierce defensive and heroic and selfless actions, he was able to deny the enemy access to his position and save the lives of his remaining crew. With the arrival of the rescue aircraft, Chief Etchberger, without hesitation, repeatedly and deliberately risked his own life, exposing himself to heavy enemy fire in order to place three surviving comrades into rescue slings hanging from the hovering helicopter waiting to airlift them to safety. With his remaining crew safely aboard, Chief Etchberger finally climbed into an evacuation sling himself, only to be fatally wounded by enemy ground fire as he was being raised into the aircraft. Chief Etchberger's bravery and determination in the face of persistent enemy fire and overwhelming odds are in keeping with the highest standards of performance and traditions of military service. Chief Etchberger's gallantry, self-sacrifice, and profound concern for his fellow men at risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Action Date: March 11, 1968

Service: Air Force

Rank: Chief Master Sergeant

Company: Detachment 1, 1043d Radar Evaluation Squadron

Division: Lima Site 85, Laos
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POSTED ON 3.5.2013

Photo

Rest in peace with the warriors.

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