TFH 5/11: Lieutenant Colonel Edwin L. Atterberry, USAFR

Edwin Lee Atterberry was born on March 3, 1934 in Klondike, Texas. His service to our Nation began in 1952 with his enlistment in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In 1955 he entered the United States Air Force's aviation cadet program, earning his pilot's wings and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve in 1956.

In the mid-1960s, Atterberry was flying on active service as a reconnaissance pilot in the McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II. He was part of the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flying from Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. On August 12, 1967 while on temporary assignment to Vietnam, then Captain Atterberry was shot down over North Vietnam, bailed out, and was captured.

He endured his captors for nearly two years when he escaped on May 11, 1969. He was recaptured three days later, but his indomitable courage and resistance in the face of brutal communist captivity resulted in the award of the second-highest decoration for valor, the Air Force Cross.


From Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 11 May 1969 to 14 May 1969. On 11 May 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Atterberry escaped from the North Vietnamese prison camp known as "The Zoo" and was recaptured twelve hours later. He was subjected to brutal torture for confessions pertaining to camp leadership, organization and details of his escape plans. He was last seen by other prisoners of war on 14 May 1969, and the North Vietnamese later reported that Lieutenant Colonel Atterberry had died. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower, in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Atterberry reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Atterberry had been promoted to both Major and Lieutenant Colonel while in captivity. For his service while a prisoner of war, he also received the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star with Combat "V".

Legion of Merit Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force (Reserve), for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1967 to May 1969. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Bronze Star with Combat "V" Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" to Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force (Reserve), for heroism involving voluntary risk of personal safety while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. During the period 31 August 1967 to 25 October 1967, with complete disregard for his own injuries, Colonel Atterberry administered twenty-four hour a day nursing care to a fellow prisoner who was incapacitated due to dislocated and broken limbs and advanced infections. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty in the service of his country, Colonel Atterberry has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Edwin Lee Atterberry was murdered by his North Vietnamese captors sometime between May 14 and May 18, 1969. He was also a recipient of the Silver Star and three Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Atterberry is memorialized on Panel 24E, Line 102 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. Today the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron is part of the 432d Wing. Their role is to train operators for the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle to fly missions worldwide from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.