THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Dear Col. Gene Pemberton, Thank you for your service as a Tactical Fighter - Bomber Pilot. Glad you were identified in 1974, welcome home. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the Easter season. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Gene Thomas Pemberton, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Phuc Yen, North Vietnam, on 23 July 1966. On that date, Major Pemberton was the flight leader of a four-ship F-105 aircraft team assigned to patrol the heavily defended Red River Delta in search of hostile surface-to-air missile sites. Despite encountering extremely adverse weather and heavy defenses, Major Pemberton courageously pressed the attack in complete disregard of his personal safety. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Pemberton has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. See https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24633

Major Gene Thomas Pemberton, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 23, 1966 until his death in Captivity on or about July 24, 1966. See https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24633

On July 23, 1966, a U.S. Air Force F-105 Thunderchief (#63-8338) from the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Takhli Royal Thai Air Base in Thailand was the flight leader of a four-ship F-105 aircraft team assigned to patrol the heavily defended Red River Delta in North Vietnam in search of hostile surface-to-air missile sites. The crew of the lead ship was pilot MAJ Gene T. Pemberton and Electronic Warfare Officer MAJ Benjamin B. Newsom. Near Phuc Yen the flight encountered extremely adverse weather and heavy anti-aircraft defenses. MAJ Pemberton’s Thunderchief was shot down and he and Newsom were captured by the North Vietnamese. Pemberton was reported to have died in captivity on July 24, 1966, and Newsom was also reported to have died in captivity on July 26, 1966. Both Pemberton and Newsom were promoted to Colonel during the time they were missing. The two airmen’s remains were repatriated March 6, 1974, and positively identified April 22, 1974. Pemberton was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal Newsom posthumously was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, valor.militarytimes.com, and MAJ Pemberton’s Silver Star citation]