30 September 1950 – The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) was founded in 1951, when scientists from the field of space research gathered in an attempt to ensure a constant dialogue between the space nations, regardless of political turmoil. In its early years, the Federation and its annual International Astronautical Congresses – better known as the
Capt. R. S. Pahl Cited for Vietnam Bombing (The Post-Standard, February 7, 1972 [Happy Valley Phan Rang News)
GRIFFISS AFB – Gallantry and achievement may seem to have been relegated to the distant past, but a 29-year-old Rome Air Development Center pilot has proved that they are still current.
Capt. Robert S. Pahl of the Center’s Flight Test Division was recently decorated with one of the nation’s highest honors: the Silver Star for gallantry in Vietnam. In addition, the B-57 Reconnaissance pilot added two oak leaf clusters to the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in battle on two other occasions.
The Rossville, Ga., native, while stationed at Phan Rang Air Base, Vietnam, with the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, carried out three highly successful missions against enemy forces.
On Feb. 5, 1971, Capt. Pahl flew his F-100 fighter-bomber to a location where friendly forces were pinned down by intense ground fire. Heavy antiaircraft fire, poor visibility and darkness notwithstanding, Pahl delivered devastation with unerring accuracy against the hostile forces. He destroyed their effectiveness, thereby enabling the allies to regroup and prepare for an offensive thrust the following month.
Three days later, shortly after midnight, he scrambled from the alert pad at Phan Rang to aid friendly forces immobilized by intense mortar, rocket and automatic weapons fire. Despite a low, 5,000-foot ceiling, heavy ground fire and minimal visibility, the Air Force officer again completed his mission with pinpoint accuracy. This was accomplished at the risk that an error in judgment would have resulted in destruction of friendly forces.
A month later, on March 6, Capt. Pahl went to the aid of U.S. Army personnel who were under heavy rocket attack at Fire Base Alpha Four, deep within the demilitarized zone. His flight was the only available one to destroy the rocket sites with precision. The citation for his Distinguished Flying Cross states, “If Captain Pahl had not displayed such great courage, professionalism and aerial skill, it is likely a disaster would have befallen the American Unit.”
(This same article appeared in Phan Rang News 26 which was from the Syracuse Post Standard and is slightly different than this one from The Post-Standard…)
