AIR FORCE CROSS AND SILVER STAR: THE MEDALS AND THE RECIPIENTS
AND OTHER HIGHLY DECORATED ENLISTED PERSONNEL

Enlisted History Resource Guide
Compiled by SNCOA Library Staff
This page was last updated on 02/17/2011 10:07 AM

Contents:

Internet Resources:

U.S. Air Force Factsheet: Silver Star
Available at: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=7729&page=1

U.S. Air Force Factsheet: Air Force Cross
Available at: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=7726&page=1

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Books:

Aldebol, Anthony. Medals of America Presents Decorations, Medals, Ribbons, Badges and Insignia of the United States Air Force: The First 50 Years. Fountain Inn, SC, MOA Press, 1997. 144p.
Book call no.: 355.1342 A628m YELLOW RESERVE

Airmen Memorial Museum. Unsung Heroes: A History of the Enlisted Airmen from the Dawn of Flight to Desert Storm. Suitland, MD, The Museum, 1997. 334p.
A list of Air Force Cross recipients on page 298, and some on Hackney, Maysey and Pitsenbarger pp 255-256.
Book call no.: 358.41338 U59 YELLOW RESERVE

Bowden, Mark. Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. New York, Atlantic Monthly Press, c1999. 386p.
Wilkinson and the rescue in Mogadishu, includes some details on the actions of Bray and Fales.
Book call no.: 967.73053 B784b YELLOW RESERVE

Castle, Timothy N. One Day Too Long: Top Secret Site 85 and the Bombing of North Vietnam. New York, Columbia University Press, c1999. 371p.
Describes Chief Etchberger’s actions which resulted in his Air Force Cross.
Book call no.: 959.704348 C353o YELLOW RESERVE

Chivalette, William I. and Hayes, W. Parker Jr. William H. Pitsenbarger: Air Force Enlisted Hero. Suitland, MD, Airmen Memorial Museum, 199?. 14p.
Book call no.: 358.41338 A298 v.13  YELLOW RESERVE

Fowler, Will and Kerrigan, Evans E. American Military: Insignia, Medals and Decorations. Edison, NJ, Chartwell Books, c1995. 160p.
Picture p. 93, Short description p. 95.
Book call no.: 355.1342 A512 REFERENCE YELLOW RESERVE

Guilmartin, John Francis. A Very Short War: The Mayaguez and the Battle of Koh Tang. College Station, Texas A&M University Press, c1995. 238p.
Includes information about Wayne Fisk’s involvement in this incident.
Book call no.: 959.70434 G962v YELLOW RESERVE

Heroes Among Us: Firsthand Accounts of Combat from America's Most Decorated Warriors in Iraq and Afghanistan..  New York: NAL Caliber, c2008. 334p.
Book call no. 956.7044 H559 YELLOW RESERVE

Hirsh, Michael. None Braver: U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen in the War on Terrorism. New York, New American Library, c2003. 296p.
Book call no. 958.1046 H669n YELLOW RESERVE

MacPherson, Malcolm. Roberts Ridge: A Story of Courage and Sacrifice on Takur Ghar Mountain, Afghanistan. New York: Delacorte Press, c2005. 338p.
Book call no. 958.1047 M172r YELLOW RESERVE

Miskimins, Sean M. and  Chivalette, William I. CMSgt Richard Etchberger: Top Secret Enlisted Air Force Cross Recipient. Suitland, MD, Airmen Memorial Museum, 2002. 11p.
Book call no.: 358.41338 A298 v.18  YELLOW RESERVE

Miskimins, Sean M. For Extraordinary Heroism: the Enlisted Air Force Cross Recipients. Suitland, MD, Airmen Memorial Museum, [2000]. 14p.
Book call no.: 358.41338 A298 v.18  YELLOW RESERVE

Nalty, Bernard C. Winged Shield, Winged Sword: A History of the United States Air Force. Washington, DC, Air Force History and Museums Program, 1997.
Volume two includes information on the Somalia incident, p 494-495.
Book call no.: 358.400973 W769  YELLOW RESERVE

Pushies, Fred. Deadly Blue: Battle Stories of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command. New York, American Management Association, c2009. 238p.
Book call no. 958.1047 P987d YELLOW RESERVE

Tilford, Earl H. Search and Rescue in Southeast Asia. [Washington, DC?], Center for Air Force History, 1992. 212p.
Short mention of Pitsenbarger and Hackney on pp 88-89.
Book call no.: 959.70434 T572s  YELLOW RESERVE

Whitcomb, Darrel D. The Rescue of Bat 21. Annapolis, MD, Naval Institute Press, 1998. 196p.
Describes a massive rescue mission in which there was the loss of some rescue personnel.
Book call no.: 959.704348 W581r YELLOW RESERVE

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Periodicals:

Amos, Chris. Corpsman Awarded Silver Star for Care After Convoy Bombing. Navy Times 57:12 November 5 2007.

Arana-Barradas, Louis A. Air Force Honors Fallen Hero. Airman 46:16 November 2002.

Barela, Timothy P. Bloody Sunday (1610th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron in Somalia). Airman 38:2-7 February 1994.

Correll, John T. Cliffhanger. Air Force Magazine 93:73-74, 76, 78. September 2010.

Correll, John T. A Habit of Heroism. Air Force Magazine 93:1 January 2010.

Elmwood, Lynn J. CMSgt Richard Etchberger: Top Secret Enlisted Air Force Cross Recipient. Sergeants 45:10-14 July 2006.

(Enlisted leaders and achievers). Sergeants 35:A40-A42 Jan-Feb 1996.

George, James A. The Shortest Line. Airman 12:52-55 October 1968. Describes Duane Hackney’s exploits resulting in the Air Force Cross.

Kyle J. Costner;  Bill Putnam.  Special Forces Soldier Receives Silver Star for Afghanistan Combat. Special Forces  16:38 August 2003.

Neal, Jason A. Pope Combat Controller Awarded Air Force Cross. Airman 47:20 March 2003.

Oliveri, Frank. Heroes at Mogadishu. Air Force Magazine 77:28-32 June 1994.

Peddrick, Wendy Alexis. Crosses and Stripes. Air Force Magazine 81:58-65 April 1998.

Rhodes, Philip F. No Time For Fear (Mogadishu Firefight). Airman 38:22-31 May 1994.

Rolfsen, Bruce. Actions Under Fire Earned Tech Sergeant an Air Force Cross. Air Force Times 63:10 January 13 2003.

Rolfsen, Bruce. ‘A Flat-out Hero’: Airman Gets Air Force Cross for Bravery in 2008 (Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner). Air Force Times 69:8-10 March 16 2009.

Rolfsen, Bruce. Guardsman Earns Silver Star for Actions at Roberts Ridge.  Air Force Times 64:10 November 3 2003.

Rolfsen, Bruce. Honoring a Hero: Combat Controller Who Died in Afghanistan Saving His Team Awarded the Air Force Cross. Air Force Times 63:12 January 20 2003.

Rolfsen, Bruce. JTAC to Receive Air Force Cross. Air Force Times 66:8 July 10 2006.

Rolfsen, Bruce. Pararescueman Honored with Air Force Cross Air Force Times 63:11 August 19 2002.

Rolfsen, Bruce. Senior Airman Awarded Posthumous Air Force Cross (SrAmn Jason D. Cunningham)    Air Force Times  63:13 September 23 2002.

Rolfsen, Bruce. Silver Star Performance. Air Force Times 66:8 July 10 2006.

Tan, Michelle. Four Receive Silver Star in One Week: Two Earn Medal in Iraq; Two Earn Medal for Afghanistan Actions. Army Times 69:10 July 28 2008.

Their Professionalism Inspires Success to All. Sergeants 33:42-47 August 1994.

Turner, Jimmie. "Everybody Looked the Grim Reaper in the Eyes That Day": Enlisted Air Force Cross Recipient and Two Silver Star Winners Tell Courageous Tale of Somalia Attack. Sergeants 33:22-25 April 1994.

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