THE WALL OF FACES

I had the privilege of meeting the Sijan family some years ago,and just recently saw a documentary put together by Lance's sister, Janine Sijan-Rozina. I'm more convinced than ever now that Lance was as fine a young man as they come. That reflects so well on his family, too. God's blessing and peace on Lance and those who loved him.

I read about Capt. Sijan some years ago in a magazine-like pub about selected MOH recipients. Every one of them performed ‘above & beyond the call of duty’ in combat. Capt. Sijan’s conduct during the ordeal which ended his life is a study of determination, the purest distillation of what honor means under capture, torture, & terrible injuries. He didn’t break, he didn’t stop - until death finally took him.

My son & I are both Marine Corps veterans. We Marines tend to think members of the other branches aren’t as tough, it’s just a friendly rivalry thing. Capt. Sijan was tougher than ALL of us; Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, & Coast Guard. His lessons live on.

Btw, I loved seeing so many photos of the Captain. He was . . . beautiful.

Remembering Lance P. Sijan on this day. Thank you for your sacrifice so that all of us may enjoy freedom.

Lance Peter Sijan

DATE OF BIRTH: April 13, 1942
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
HOME OF RECORD:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lance Sijan graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of 1965, and is the only graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy ever awarded the Medal of Honor. He was shot down on November 9, 1967, and escaped and evaded the enemy for 45 days before he was captured on December 25, 1967. He again briefly escaped but was re-captured and interned in North Vietnam, where he died in captivity on January 22, 1968. His remains were recovered and returned on March 13, 1974.

Medal of Honor
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
Division: Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)
GENERAL ORDERS:
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-181, March 23, 1976
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Captain Lance Peter Sijan (AFSN: AF-16419378/F-80654/3537K), United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, as a Prisoner of War being held in Laos and North Vietnam. On 9 November 1967, while on a flight over North Vietnam, Captain Sijan ejected from his disabled aircraft and successfully evaded capture for more than six weeks. During this time, he was seriously injured and suffered from shock and extreme weight loss due to lack of food. After being captured by North Vietnamese soldiers, Captain Sijan was taken to a holding point for subsequent transfer to a prisoner of war camp. In his emaciated and crippled condition, he overpowered one of his guards and crawled into the jungle, only to be recaptured after several hours. He was then transferred to another prison camp where he was kept in solitary confinement and interrogated at length. During interrogation, he was severely tortured; however, he did not divulge any information to his captors. Captain Sijan lapsed into delirium and was placed in the care of another prisoner. During his intermittent periods of consciousness until his death, he never complained of his physical condition and, on several occasions, spoke of future escape attempts. Captain Sijan's extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Armed Forces.

Lance Peter Sijan

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
Rank: First Lieutenant
GENERAL ORDERS:

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Lance Peter Sijan (AFSN: AF-16419378/F-80654/3537K), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Pilot of an F-4C "Phantom II" tactical jet fighter over North Vietnam on 22 August 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Sijan voluntarily risked his life in striking a heavily defended storage area. Despite heavy ground fire, he participated in multiple passes to deliver flares and ordnance directly on the target. Undaunted by darkness, treacherous terrain, marginal weather, and determined defenses, Lieutenant Sijan dealt a telling blow to the hostile forces by denying them vital war material and petroleum products. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Sijan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.