Nacey Kent, Jr. was born at the close of World War II on August 11, 1945 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on August 13, 1962 and was trained as an aircraft mechanic. Nearly six years later, he was flying over Vietnam as a flight engineer on a fire support gunship.
During a mission on May 5, 1968 with the 4th Air Commando Squadron, the AC-47 Spooky that Kent was aboard was shot down by the enemy. After the plane crash landed, Sergeant Kent ignored his own broken bones to save his comrades and was awarded 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 pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Sergeant Nacey Kent, Jr. (AFSN: 19739570), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an AC-47 Flight Engineer in the 4th Air Commando Squadron (Fire Support), 14th Air Commando Wing, in action near Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam on 5 May 1968. On that date, Sergeant Kent and the AC-47 crew were defending Pleiku Air Base against a hostile mortar and rocket attack when their aircraft was critically damaged by a hostile projectile. Although Sergeant Kent's leg was broken in the ensuing crash, he helped the enlisted crew to evacuate, reentered the burning aircraft to carry the seriously wounded navigator to safety, and then entered the aircraft again to aid the other crew members and to fight the fire. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Sergeant Kent reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sergeant Kent also was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during his time in Vietnam. He passed away a few months before his 59th birthday on May 1, 2004. He rests in peace at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington.
Today, the 4th Air Commando Squadron is known as the 4th Special Operations Squadron and flies the Lockheed AC-130U Spooky gunship in fire support missions of special operations and other ground forces. They are part of the 1st Special Operations Group, the flying arm of the 1st Special Operations Wing, stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
I worked on an enlisted heritage display at Dover AFB several years ago. Spoke to Nacey and he told several things. What stood out was his pride in his son's service in the USMC. Here's a guy who was part of USAF history and his proudest thoughts were of his son and his service to our country. CMSgt BW
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