Photo courtesy of Jimmie Butler

AIR FORCE ACADEMY SOUTHEAST ASIA MEMORIAL PAVILLION

 

GARDEN OF THE GODS

Photo courtesy of Barry Rowland

FORWARD AIR CONTROLLERS MEMORIAL

Capt Lance P. Sijan Memorial

Capt Lance P. Sijan

The Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award was created in 1981 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership in their jobs and in their lives. It has become one of the U.S. Air Force's most prestigious awards. Sijan, an Air Force captain and fighter pilot, died while a POW in Vietnam.

On Nov. 9, 1967, while on a flight over North Vietnam, Captain Sijan ejected from his disabled aircraft and successfully evaded capture for more than six weeks. During this time, he was seriously injured and suffered from shock and extreme weight loss due to lack of food.

On March 4, 1976, he posthumously received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military award