In Loving Memory of

Airman First Class

James E. Pleiman

"That Others May Live"

Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster

Purple Heart

Air Medal

Good Conduct Medal

Maroon Beret

Sky Diving Badge

Letter of Appreciation, Japanese Government

Pleiman Hall-Bldg. 1212, W.P.A.F.B., Ohio

Albatross Monument-Kirtland A.F.B., New Mexico

A/1C James E. Pleiman

A/1C James E. Pleiman, after receiving training, was assigned as a medic and pararescue specialist to the 33rd Air Rescue Squadron, Naha AB, Okinawa. On November 1, 1965, he was instrumental in recovering a downed pilot in the Gulf of Tonkin. With complete disregard for his safety and with armed hostile swimmers within 100 feet, Airman Pleiman jumped into the water to rescue the pilot. Once again, on March 14, 1966, HU-16 number 51-0071 Albatross was flying a precautionary orbit mission at position Crown Bravo off the North Vietnamese coast. Its mission was to stand by for emergency rescue calls from distressed aircraft and to assist them in any way possible. The day's routine was broken by a distress call from the call from the crew of an F-4 "Phantom" returning from a strike mission over North Vietnam. Anti-aircraft batteries had badly damaged their aircraft. Major James Peerson and Captain Lynwood Bryant turned their crippled fighter toward the Gulf of Tonkin where both men safely ejected. Captain David Westenbarger headed his HU-16 Albatross northward to the bail-out area. The F-4 crewmembers had splashed down approximately two miles from shore. The HU-16 landed in the water and taxied over to pick up Major Peerson. Pararescueman A/1C James E. Pleiman jumped into the water to help him on board. At this time, enemy shore batteries opened up on the floating unarmed rescue plane. Additional gunfire erupted from approaching enemy sampans. Captain Donald Price, the navigator, returned the fire with an M-16 rifle. Radio operator A/1C Robert Hilton, and SSgt. Clyde Jackson rushed to the rear of the HU-16 to assist Airman Pleiman and the F-4 crew. Before anyone could climb on board, a Howitzer round scored a direct hit on the aircraft. Within seconds, it was a blazing inferno. As the crew abandoned the aircraft, they assisted each other in escaping from the burning gasoline surrounding the wreckage. Soon navy rescue helicopters moved into the area to pick up the men as fighter bombers began air strikes on the enemy shore batteries and sampans. A/1C Robert Hilton and A/1C James E. Pleiman died while attempting the rescue. Airman Pleiman courageously carried out his duty as he dived into the sea with shells exploding all around in an heroic attempt to rescue the downed airman. A/1C James E. Pleiman was awarded the Silver Star and first Oak Leaf Cluster posthumously for these heroic acts. Building 1212, which houses enlisted men from the 4950th Test Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, had been named Pleiman Hall, in memory of the heroic airman.

23 years after he was killed while attempting to save two downed pilots during the Vietnam War, James E. Pleiman came home to his family.