The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Thank You For Your Service, RIP : James Robinson Risner

James Robinson "Robbie" Risner (born January 16, 1925)^[1] was a general officer and professional fighter pilot in the United States Air Force.

Risner is a double recipient of the Air Force Cross, the second highest military decoration for valor that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. He was the first living recipient of the medal,^[2] awarded the first for valor in aerial combat during the Vietnam War, and the second for gallantry as a prisoner of war of the North Vietnamese for more than seven years.

Risner became an ace in the Korean War, and commanded a squadron of F-105 Thunderchiefs in the first missions of Operation Rolling Thunder in 1965. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Robinson_Risner

Pardo's Push: McDonnell F4 Phantom

"Pardo's push" of March 10, 1967 was preceded by a similar event. In 1952, fighter ace Robbie Risner pushed fellow flyer Joe Logan sixty miles. The two men were flying F-86 Sabre jets and successfully cleared hostile territory, but Logan bailed out over water, was tangled in his canopy lines, and drowned. Risner was deemed a hero, but by Pardo's account, pilots were not encouraged to partake in similar activities.

Pardo's push may have saved the lives of pilot Earl Aman and his weapons system officer Bob Houghton. But it would be decades before their efforts were recognized by the Air Force. Bob Pardo and Steve Wayne eventually earned the Silver Star for the act.

Pardo was later quoted saying that they'd gotten Earl and Bob back, and that's all they wanted.

Video by Glenn Pew http://www.glennpew.com for AVweb.com

Update:: 10/24/13 1344

Retired AF general was senior ranking POW at Hanoi Hilton

By Sig Christenson

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Robbie Risner, a former San Antonio resident and senior-ranking American POW for five of the seven years he was held in Hanoi, has died following a stroke. He was 88.

A Korean War ace who made the cover of Time magazine as a lieutenant colonel, Risner was repeatedly tortured and placed in isolation. He and other prisoners at Hoa Lo Prison, the infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” used a “tap code” to communicate. His message was one of defiance.

“The guidance of the leadership that he provided us was very brief and abbreviated because it all had to be tapped though the wall,” retired Air Force Col. Ken Cordier, 76, of Dallas said Wednesday.

“Don't give the enemy anything, don't give in,” Cordier said of their mantra. “If they do torture you until you break, give as little as possible and then come back and pull yourself together, and the next day fight again.”

Fellow POWs said Risner suffered from Alzheimer's and had a stroke Saturday at his home in Bridgewater, Va. Funeral arrangements weren't known, but retired Air Force Col. Jim Lamar said Risner may be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.