THE WALL OF FACES

Colonel Robert Edwin Brinckman, Served with the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force.

Robert Edwin Brinckmann
Date of birth: December 31, 1928
Date of death: Missing in Action/Presumed KIA
Place of Birth: New Jersey, Jersey City
Home of record: Newark New Jersey
Status: MIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star


Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

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 Lieutenant Colonel Robert Edwin Brinckmann (AFSN: FR-42991), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, in action near Kep, North Vietnam, on 4 November 1966. On that date, Captain Brinckmann while piloting a specially equipped F-105, Colonel Brinckmann led his flight in an attack against a hostile SA-2 surface-to-air missile installation. Without regard for his own personal safety, Colonel Brinckmann pressed the attack in the face of intense and accurate ground defenses. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Brinckmann has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

General Orders: Headquarters, 7th Air Force: Special Orders G-1178 (December 27, 1966)

Action Date: 4-Nov-66

Service: Air Force

Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Company: 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

Regiment: 388th Tactical Fighter Wing


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 with Combat "V" (Posthumously) to Major Robert Edwin Brinckmann (AFSN: FR-42991), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a combat aircrew member in Southeast Asia on 3 July 1966. On that date, while under intense and accurate fire from unfriendly forces, Major Brinckmann demonstrated cool courage, undaunted determination, and superior skill in pressing home devastating air attacks against hostile positions. Persevering in the face of danger and death, he relentlessly and effectively aided in neutralizing the hostile forces. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Brinckmann reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

General Orders: Headquarters, 7th Air Force: Special Orders G-748 (September 20, 1966)

Action Date: July 3, 1966

Service: Air Force

Rank: Major


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 Major Robert Edwin Brinckmann (AFSN: FR-42991), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 21 August 1966. On that date, while piloting a specially equipped F-105, Major Brinckmann led a flight in support of a large strike force. In spite of heavy ground fire, and a surface-to-air missile attack which damaged his aircraft and scattered his flight, Major Brinckmann single handedly continued the attack and destroyed the surface-to-air missile site. This courageous and aggressive action significantly enhanced the safety and effectiveness of the main strike force. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Brinckmann reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

General Orders: Headquarters, 7th Air Force: Special Orders G-933 (November 2, 1966)

Action Date: August 21, 1966

Service: Air Force

Rank: Major


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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major Robert Edwin Brinckmann (AFSN: FR-42991), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot near Kep, North Vietnam, on 8 August 1966. On that date, while piloting a specially equipped F-105, Major Brinckmann led his flight in an attack which resulted in the destruction of a hostile surface-to-air missile installation. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Brinckmann reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

General Orders: Headquarters, 7th Air Force: Special Orders G-937 (November 3, 1966)

Action Date: August 8, 1966

Service: Air Force

Rank: Major

During my nursing school years, in Huntington West Virginia, I obtained a remembrance bracelet for MIA Lt. Col Robert Brinckmann (11-4-66). Later I was at an exhibit for the Vietnam wall and could not locate his name.

Are there any relatives of Col. Brinckman who would be interested in having this bracelet. I would be happy to mail it.

The F-105 Thunderchief ("Thud"), in its various versions, flew more missions against North Vietnam than any other U.S. aircraft. It also suffered more losses, partially due to its vulnerability, which was constantly under revision. Between 1965 and 1971, the aircraft was equipped with armor plate, a secondary flight control system, an improved pilot ejection seat, a more precise navigation system, better blind bombing capability and ECM pods for the wings. The F model carried a second crewman which made it well suited for the role of suppressing North Vietnam's missile defenses. MAJ Robert E. Brinckmann was an F-105F Air Force pilot assigned a combat mission over North Vietnam on November 4, 1966. His co-pilot that day was CAPT Vincent A. Scungio. When the aircraft was about 60 miles northeast of Hanoi in Ha Bac Province, North Vietnam, it was hit by enemy fire and crashed. Scungio and Brinckmann were declared Missing In Action. When 591 Americans were released from Vietnam in 1973, Scungio and Brinckmann were not among them. Military officials were shocked to learn that hundreds of Americans known or suspected to be prisoners of war were not released. In late July, 1989 remains were returned to the United States by the Vietnamese which were subsequently identified as being those of Robert E. Brinckmann. [Narrative taken from pownetwork.org; image from wikipedia.org]

Dear Colonel Robert Edwin Brinckmann, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter