Hosted by PJs in
Vietnam
Last Update:
Monday, July 20, 2009
Site Mission: Provide Pararescue
and Air Rescue History
Silver Star Recipient
Attention to orders. Citation to accompany the award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Joseph S. Stanaland
Staff Sergeant Joseph S. Stanaland distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia on 12 December 1970. On that date, Sergeant Stanaland and his fellow crewmembers voluntarily subjected themselves to great personal risk on three separate occasions in an attempt to rescue a critically injured American pilot from heavily defended hostile territory. Despite the fact that two rescue attempts had already been aborted due to intense hostile ground fire, Sergeant Stanaland, completely disregarding his own personal safety, voluntarily descended to the ground by rescue hoist and succeeded in recovering the inert pilot. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Stanaland has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.