THE WALL OF FACES

Distinguished Flying Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" (Posthumously) to Captain Leroy Clyde Schaneberg (AFSN: 0-328349277), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53B Copilot in Southeast Asia on 5 December 1969. On that date, Captain Schaneberg and his fellow crewmembers attempted the rescue of two downed American airmen from one of the most heavily defended hostile areas in Southeast Asia. This rescue attempt was continued until the helicopter was in imminent danger of being downed, at which time, Captain Schaneberg provided direction around hostile gun positions in their egress of the area, saving not only his own life, but also those of his fellow crewmembers. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Schaneberg in the dedication of his service to his country reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: December 5, 1969

Service: Air Force

Rank: Captain

Company: 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron

Division: Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

Distinguished Flying Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Leroy Clyde Schaneberg (AFSN: 0-328349277), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53C Rescue Crew Member, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, on 12 November 1969. On that date, Captain Schaneberg participated in the successful rescue of a pilot downed in hostile territory. This was accomplished even though exposed to constant ground fire and the survivor's position had not been pinpointed. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Schaneberg in the dedication of his service to his country reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: November 12, 1969

Service: Air Force

Rank: Captain

Company: 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron

Division: Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

Dear Captain Leroy Clyde Schaneberg, 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.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

On June 30, 1970, a crew from the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Udorn Airfield, Thailand was dispatched to rescue a downed flight crew. Crew aboard the Sikorsky HH-53C "Super Jolly" helicopter included the pilot, CAPT Leroy C. Schaneberg, crewmembers MAJ John W. Goeglein, MSGT Paul L. Jenkins, SSGT Marvin E. Bell, and SSGT Michael F. Dean. The members of the 40th Air R & R were trained for both air and sea recovery, and the big "Super Jolly" was equipped to airlift both the crew and aircraft out of sticky situations. The downed and injured pilot was located in Savannakhet Province, Laos, about two kilometers south of Bang Tang. The HH-53C penetrated the area, known to be hostile, in an attempt to rescue the pilot, but was forced away by hostile ground fire. A second attempt was made, but the helicopter was hit by hostile fire, caught on fire, went out of control and crashed. The Air Force states it received evidence on July 4, 1970, that the crew was dead, but that evidence is not specifically described, and no remains identifiable as Bell, Dean, Goeglein, Schaneberg, or Jenkins have been recovered. Schaneberg received the Air Force Cross for extraordinary heroism as the aircraft commander on this rescue mission. On the same day, CAPT Williams S. Sanders was flying an OV-10A Bronco southeast of Khe Sanh at a point where Laos veers north to intrude on South Vietnam. His aircraft was shot down just inside Laos, not far from the location of the downed helicopter. The Bronco was generally used for marking targets, armed reconnaissance and forward air control, so the nature of CAPT Sanders' mission and its precise relation to the mission of the Super Jolly from Udorn is unknown. The crew of the helicopter was numerically listed missing before the OV-10, so it is does not seem likely that the helicopter was assisting the observation aircraft, but as no other aircraft is missing on that day in that area, either the downed pilot was Sanders or the pilot was rescued by other means. [Narrative taken from pownetwork.org; image from wikipedia.org]

Leroy and I flew Jolly Greens together in 69-70 out of Udorn,Thailand. I was away during the time his crew was shotdown-63070.I just completed a book on the era and people-Leroy is included-'I Flew With Heroes.'