US Air Force legend Robert “Bob” Pardo, known for his selfless actions known as “Pardo’s Push” during the Vietnam War, died on December 5 in College Station, Texas.
He is 89 years old.
On March 10, 1967, Pardo, then a US Air Force captain, and weapons officer Lt. 1 Steve Wayne is deep in enemy territory on a bombing raid in Vietnam.
Flying with another F-4C Phantom aircraft, piloted by Captain Earl Aman and Lt. 1 Robert Houghton, a pair of jets tasked with eliminating North Vietnam’s only steel mill, which was reinforced with anti-aircraft guns and artillery.
Both planes began taking enemy fire from the ground, damaging both Pardo’s and Aman’s Phantoms.
“We took at least one hit, maybe two, right in the belly of the airplane,” Pardo recounted in a 2015 interview with the Air Force’s Veterans in Blue program.
Captain Robert Pardo and Lt. 1 Stephen A. Wayne. US Air Force
After making the initial enemy contact, Aman’s plane was hit again and lost too much fuel to get out of enemy territory and return to base safely.
“I knew if I didn’t do anything, they would have to drive the North Vietnamese into enemy territory, and that would definitely lead to their capture,” Pardo said. “Back then, if you were caught by a civilian, you would probably be killed on the spot.”
In a selfless act to save his friends, Pardo pushed Aman’s jet using the nose of his plane on Aman’s tail hook — a retractable hook on the underside of the plane used to assist landing.
Pardo’s move endangers his own jet as the windshield may break. Youtube/1stCombatCamera Due to Pardo’s actions, both planes were able to get out of enemy territory safely. Youtube/1stCombatCamera
Pardo helped Phantom Aman descend by 1,500 feet per minute and piloted the aircraft back to friendly territory.
Both aircrew were later safely ejected across the Laotian border and rescued by friendly forces.
Following the heroic aerial feat, Pardo recalled being often asked, ‘How did you have the courage to make a decision, knowing that the windshield could break at any moment?’
“My father taught me that when your friends need help, you help,” the Vietnam War hero replied.
“I can’t go home and tell him I didn’t try anything because that’s what he’s going to ask me. He would say, ‘Did you try?’”
Although it seems that his command would be very happy with his selfishness, Lt. General William Wallace ‘Spike’ Momyer, commander of the 7th Air Force in Vietnam, would reprimand him for sacrificing his multi-million dollar jet in the rescue.
Faced with a military court, Pardo was saved from punishment by his wing commander, Col. Robin Olds, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
Pardo retired from the Air Force in 1974 as a lieutenant colonel. Airman 1st Class Ashley J. Thum
Pardo would be awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military award, for his actions twenty years after the air rescue.
In addition to his Silver Star, his awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with twelve Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Born in Herne, Texas, in 1934, Pardo began his Air Force career in 1954 when he was 19 years old.
He flew 132 missions during the Vietnam War.
Lt. Col. Retired Pardo surveys the surrounding area while in an F-15E Strike Eagle simulator at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Oct. 14. 2014. Airman 1st Class Ashley J. Thum
Pardo retired from the Air Force in 1974 as a lieutenant colonel.
“He’s a legend, but his legacy is what he did and you can do things like that, it’s not necessarily push somebody’s plane, you can help somebody,” his son, John Pardo told KBTX on Wednesday.
“His character is one of outstanding individuality, his principles are unmatched, and his love for his country is evident in his mind. Helping Earl and Bob Houghton as best he could is the best example ever, on the air, of someone trying to save someone else’s life.”
“That was the only time that one airplane really pushed another in the history of aviation.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
