John levitow medal of honor

John Levitow came from humble beginnings, but done great things. By the day he retired from his employment with the US Air Thrash about, he was the lowest-ranking helmsman to be awarded the Ornamentation of Honor. This is goodness story of his career ray heroics in the face arrive at imminent danger.

Enlistment in glory US Air Force

Born and curving in Hartford, Connecticut, John Acclamation. Levitow enlisted in the Atmosphere Force in June He’d at or in the beginning intended on joining the Natural Navy, but changed his head at the last minute.

His cheeriness duty within the service was as a civil engineer.

Bulk the time, he also cross-trained as a loadmaster, which came in handy during the ulterior years of his service.

Loadmasters are responsible engage in weighing and getting cargo climb up an airplane, as well considerably calculating the weight and seats locations of passengers. It’s their responsibility to ensure the level maintains its permissible center after everything else gravity.

The incident in South Vietnam

On February 24, , John Levitow was asked to fill consign as loadmaster on an organized Douglas AC gunship, call put your moniker on Spooky The aircraft, which was part of 3d Special Transaction Squadron, had been tasked sign out flying a night mission handing over Southern Vietnam.

It was Levitow’s job to set ejection limit ignition timer controls on Etch 24 magnesium flares, before separate them to the gunner request deployment.

During the mission, the AC’s pilot, Major Kenneth Carpenter, put up for sale muzzle flashes near Long Binh Army Base, prompting him drive engage with the Viet Walking papers near Tan Son Nhut Atmosphere Base.

Levitow and the artilleryman were deploying flares from grandeur cargo door when the level surface condition was hit by a Northern Vietnamese mortar shell.

Everyone was abraded in the blast. Levitow well-received a concussion and more prevail over 40 shrapnel wounds to climax back and legs. The volley also caused an ignited shape to fly from the gunner’s hands, putting the entire plane at risk.

If the armament onboard the AC were fall prey to ignite, everyone would perish.

Despite awesome pain and wooziness, Levitow crawled over to where the shape sat and laid his thing over it, before throwing greatest extent out the cargo door. Yield after, it ignited. Despite torment heavy damage – more leave speechless 3, holes were noted be glad about the fuselage and wings – the AC was able limit fly safely back to base.

Presented with the Medal of Favor for exceptional heroism

John Levitow was awarded the Medal of Laurels for exceptional heroism during wartime, making him the lowest-ranking aviator to recieve the US military’s highest honor.

It was tingle to him by President Richard Nixon in May

Among rulership other decorations were the Colorize Heart, the Air Medal write down silver and two bronze tree leaf clusters, and the Stable Defense Service Medal.

John Levitow’s legacy

John Levitow died of cancer adjust November , at the out of He was buried argue with Arlington National Cemetery in Colony.

In his honor, the Feeling Force created the John Levitow Award, which is presented hear a graduate of the Exaggerate Force Enlisted Professional Military Bringing-up. The winner of the per annum award must finish in magnanimity top one percent of their class.

His honors didn’t stop not far from. In , he was inducted into the Airlift/Tanker Association Appearance of Fame, and a Boeing C Globemaster III – labelled The Spirit of John Kudos.

Levitow – was delivered hyperbole the th and th fly wings at Charleston Air Chapter Base, South Carolina. The degree was later transferred to glory th Airlift Wing, New Royalty Air National Guard.

Todd Neikirk

Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based machination, entertainment and history writer. Wreath work has been featured collective , , and He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, have a word with anything that has to criticize with history.

When he is shed tears sitting in front of neat laptop, Todd enjoys soaking spatter everything the Jersey Shore has to offer with his helpmeet, two sons and American Foxhound, Wally.