- SURNAME
Pleiman
- FORENAME
James Edward (Jim)
- UNIT
33 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (3 A.R.R. Group)
- RANK
Airman First Class
- NUMBER
292367224
- DATE OF DEATH
14th March 1966
- AGE
22
- GRAVESITE
St Remy Cemetery,Russia,Shelby County,Ohio
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Russia,Ohio
born 15.1.1944 Russia,Ohio
son of August A. and LaVera A. (nee Voisard) Pleiman
single
3 years service
awards Silver Star with oak leaf cluster,Air Medal
aeromedical specialist (air rescue)
HU-16B Albatross (51-0071)
KIA offshore North Vietnam
body not recovered
Honolulu Memorial,Honolulu,Hawaii Courts of the Missing
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 06E Line 7
remains repatriated 15.12.1988
remains identified 13.3.1989
DATE OF DEATH:
14-Mar-1966CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Airman Second Class James Edward Pleiman, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 33d Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 13th Air Force, over North Vietnam on 1 November 1965. On that date, Airman Pleiman was instrumental in effecting the safe and expeditious recovery of a United States Air force RF-101 Pilot from hostile waters in the Gulf of Tonkin. With complete disregard for his safety, and with armed hostile swimmers within one hundred feet of him, Airman Pleiman jumped into the water to assist the pilot. This courageous and aggressive action promulgated against overwhelming odds, resulted in reducing the time the aircraft and crew were exposed to hostile fire. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Pleiman has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Silver Star / Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Airman First Class James Edward Pleiman, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 33d Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 13th Air Force near Thanh Hoi, North Vietnam on 14 March 1966. On that date, Airman Pleiman performed as a Pararescueman aboard an unarmed HU-16 aircraft which executed a hazardous open sea landing in the face of an oncoming fleet of twenty-five armed sampans and fierce opposition from nearby shore batteries and mortar emplacements to rescue two downed USAF pilots. Without regard for his personal safety, Airman Pleiman courageously carried out his duty in the face of overwhelming odds as he dove into the sea in the midst of exploding shells in an heroic attempt to rescue one of the downed airmen. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Pleiman has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Silver Star / Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Airman First Class James Edward Pleiman, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 33d Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 13th Air Force near Thanh Hoi, North Vietnam on 14 March 1966. On that date, Airman Pleiman performed as a Pararescueman aboard an unarmed HU-16 aircraft which executed a hazardous open sea landing in the face of an oncoming fleet of twenty-five armed sampans and fierce opposition from nearby shore batteries and mortar emplacements to rescue two downed USAF pilots. Without regard for his personal safety, Airman Pleiman courageously carried out his duty in the face of overwhelming odds as he dove into the sea in the midst of exploding shells in an heroic attempt to rescue one of the downed airmen. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Pleiman has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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