- Dale E. Stovall
-
Dale E. Stovall 
Born March 19, 1944
Toppenish, WashingtonService/branch United States Air Force Years of service 1963-1993 Rank Brigadier General Awards Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross Dale E. Stovall (born February 19, 1944[1]) is a former Brigadier General in the United States Air Force who figured prominently in several search and rescue operations during the Vietnam War. A member of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron based in Thailand, on June 2, 1972, he recovered Maj. Roger Locher from deep inside North Vietnam, the furthest any air man was ever rescued from inside enemy lines. For his efforts in rescuing Locher, Stovall was awarded the Air Force Cross, which described how "he willingly returned to this high threat area, braving intense ground fire, to recover the downed airman from deep in North Vietnam.".[1] Stovall was also recognized with the 1973 Jabara Award for Airmanship. He retired from the Air Force as a Brigadier General on June 1, 1993.
Contents
Background
Stovall was born in Toppenish, Washington and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the class of 1967.[1]
Rescue of Roger Locher
During the initial phase of Operation Linebacker in June 1972, an American 4F-4D was shot down by a North Vietnamese Shenyang J-6. Pilot Maj. Robert Lodge refused to eject, but[2][3] his weapons officer Roger Locher was able to get out of the aircraft. Lochar landed, unseen by either friendly or enemy forces, only 64 kilometres (40 mi) from Hanoi, North Vietnam.[4]
Maj. Lochar evaded capture and covered over 19 kilometres (12 mi), gradually losing 30 pounds (14 kg) and his strength.[5] On June 1, 1972, his 22nd day behind enemy lines, he was finally able to contact a flight of American jets overhead, calling, "Any U.S. aircraft, if you read Oyster 1 Bravo, come up on Guard".[6] Lt. James Dunn and others, including Steve Ritchie in one of the F-4 aircraft overhead, heard his radio call and remembered Lochar's call sign. When the aircraft answered, Lochar calmly responded, "Guys I've been down here a long time, any chance of picking me up?"[7] His transmissions left some Americans who did not hear his call in doubt about the authenticity of his message, and they believed that the NVA may have manipulated a POW into impersonating him, setting a trap for the would-be rescuers.[4]
Rescue operation
Capt. Stovall, based at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base in Thailand, responded with several A-1E and another HH-53 but was driven off by heavy anti-aircraft fire and MiGs.[4] The A-1 Skyraider and HH-53C helicopters came under attack from a MiG but eluded the enemy fighter in a narrow canyon. The rescue force then dodged missiles, another MiG and gunfire, but failed to get through to Locher that day.[8]
On June 2, 1972, General John Vogt, commander of the 7th Air Force canceled the entire strike mission set for Hanoi that day. He sent a task force of 119 aircraft[8] included Stovall piloting his HH-53 rescue helicopter, bombers, and an array of F-4 escorts, EB-66s, A-1Es, F105G Weasels, and KC135 tankers to get Lochar out.[9]
Capt. Ronald E. Smith in an A-1E guided Capt. Stovall, piloting a HH-53 from the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, to Locher's position. Only when Locher rose out of the jungle canopy riding the jungle penetrator were all of the Americans sure it was him. Despite their proximity to Yen Bai airfield, no aircraft were lost during Lochar's rescue.[10] "We shut down the war to go get Roger Locher," Stovall later said.[8]
Citations
Silver Star
Silver Star ribbon
Capt Stovall was recognized on several occasions for his bravery during the Vietnam War. He received the Silver Star for actions on March 2, 1972. The citation reads in part:[1]
...Captain Stovall with superior airmanship and personal courage, repeatedly volunteered to fly as co-pilot of an HH-53C helicopter into an extremely hostile area in the rescue of a downed airman. While under intense ground fire, Captain Stovall correctly analyzed an in-flight emergency, maintained vital communications with the Search and Rescue forces, insured that all required checks were performed, and was an indispensable aid in assisting the pilot in avoiding hazardous areas...Three months later, on June 27, 1972, he was instrumental in recovering another air man for which he was awarded the Silver Star with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster:[1]
...Captain Stovall, as Aircraft Commander of an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter, voluntarily and at great risk to his own life piloted his aircraft into a hostile and heavily defended area of North Vietnam to effect the rescue of a downed American airman. Realizing the primary recovery aircraft had suffered crippling battle damage, he piloted his aircraft through intense hostile ground fire to complete the rescue of an injured survivor and crewman from encircled ground forces...Air Force Cross
Air Force CrossFor his flight on two days deep inside North Vietnam on June 1 and 2, 1972, to rescue Maj. Lochar, Stovall received the Air Force Cross on November 22, 1972:[1]
...for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an Aircraft Commander of an HH-53C rescue helicopter of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia from 1 June 1972 to 2 June 1972. During this period, Captain Stovall, voluntarily and at great risk to his own life, repeatedly penetrated an extremely hostile and heavily defended area to effect the rescue of a downed American airman. Captain Stovall's first attempt to rescue the airman was thwarted by numerous hostile aircraft and missiles being directed at the rescue force. Determined to save this airman, he willingly returned to this high threat area, braving intense ground fire, to recover the downed airman from deep in North Vietnam...Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross ribbonOn April 13, 1972, Stovall he assisted in rescuing a Marine pilot for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation reads in part
...Captain Stovall voluntarily participated in the rescue of a downed Marine pilot from deep within hostile territory. Braving intense anti-aircraft artillery, he defiantly orbited his aircraft for over forty minutes in this extremely hostile area to assist in the successful recovery of the downed pilot.Stovall was recognized again six months later on December 6, 1972 and received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.[1]
...Captain Stovall's job knowledge, outstanding airmanship, and continuous professionalism, displayed under the constant threat of hostile fire and adverse weather conditions, immeasurably aided in recovery of a downed American airman...Peace time awards
Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon
Legion of Merit ribbonDuring peace time he was recognized with the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Capt. Dale Stovall, Air Force Cross". Military Times. http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=3468. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
- ^ John Locher. John Locher Survival Briefing. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
- ^ Davies, Peter F-4 Phantom II vs. MiG-21: USAF & VPAF in the Vietnam War (Osprey, 2008), p62
- ^ a b c Frisbee, John L. (March 1992). Valor: A Good Thought to Sleep On. 75. AirforceMagazine.com. http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/1992/March%201992/0392valor.aspx. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ "Eagle Biography Roger C. Locher". Montgomery, Alabama: Air University, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base. http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/eagle_bios/1986/locher_1986.asp. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
- ^ Hannah, Craig C.. Striving for Air Superiority: the Tactical Air Command in Vietnam. p. 3. http://books.google.com/books?id=CEb1sFobGgcC&pg=PA3&dq=roger+locher#v=onepage&q=roger%20locher&f=false.
- ^ Maurice, Lindsey (March 9, 2010). "'Legends of Aerospace' Visit 'The Rock'". 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. http://www.afcent.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123193928. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
- ^ a b c Dorr, Robert F. (March 1, 2004). "History in Blue". Air Force Times. http://www.airforcetimes.com/legacy/new/0-AIRPAPER-2642855.php. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
- ^ "Lodge, Robert Alfred". PowNetwork. http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/l/l068.htm. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ Steve Ritchie (Mar 24, 2011). Brig. Gen. Steve Ritchie and the Rescue of Roger Locher (video). Eustis, Florida. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvRcP4go-eg. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
Additional reading
Categories:- Living people
- 1944 births
- Air force personnel
- Military personnel of the Vietnam War
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United States)
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