TFH 6/11: Captain John A. Firse, USAF

John A. Firse was born on November 5, 1937 in Ohio. He enlisted in the United States Air Force's aviation cadet program and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant and his pilot's wings on June 27, 1958.

On June 11, 1967, Firse was flying a helicopter from Thailand with the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on a mission to rescue two shot-down American airmen inside North Vietnam. His helicopter came under intense enemy fire, but he wouldn't leave until both Americans were on board. For his heroism, he 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 Captain John Albert Firse (AFSN: FV-3081754), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-3E Helicopter Rescue Crew Commander in Detachment 5, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 11 June 1967. On that date, Captain Firse flew deep into hostile territory to rescue two downed American pilots. After rescuing one survivor from the dense jungle, he hovered over the second, with intense and accurate ground fire tearing into his unarmed aircraft and causing extensive damage. Despite continuing fire, Captain Firse persevered in the recovery effort until the second survivor was safely aboard. Although three of his tires were blown and the hull was extensively damaged from hostile fire, Captain Firse skillfully recovered at a forward operating base. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Captain Firse reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Firse retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1982. I believe him to still be living. The descendent of his Vietnam-era unit, the 38th Rescue Squadron, is currently part of the 347th Rescue Group and 23d Wing at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.