LtC Iceal E. "Gene" Hambleton
Biography
LTC Iceal E. "Gene" Hambleton was shot down on April 2nd, 1972. He was the navigator aboard an EB-66C gathering signals intelligence, including identifying enemy anti-aircraft radar installations to enable jamming. While flying at about 30,000 feet, the aircraft was destroyed by a Soviet-built SA-2 Guideline surface-to-air missile. Hambleton was the only one of the six-man crew able to eject. Hambleton was an Air Force ballistic missile expert with a top secret/SCI clearance and his capture by the North Vietnamese Army would have been of tremendous benefit to them and the Soviet Union. Hambleton was finally rescued after 11 1/2 days by Navy SEAL LTJG Thomas R. Norris and VNN Commando Nguyen Van Kiet in a daring, covert, night-time infiltration 3 kilometres behind enemy lines. A book and film were made based off of this daring rescue, with the film starring Gene Hackman as Hambleton.
Decorations
Dress Uniform
Badges: Master Navigator Badge, Master Missile Operations Badge
Medals-Top Row: Silver Star Medal
2nd Row (L-R): Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal
3rd Row (L-R): Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
4th Row (L-R): Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal, American Campaign Medal
5th Row (L-R): World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal
6th Row (L-R): Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Bottom Row (L-R): Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Dinner Dress Uniform
Badges: Master Navigator Badge, Master Missile Operations Badge
Medals-Top Row (L-R): Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross
Middle Row (L-R): Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal, World War II Victory Medal
Bottom Row (L-R): American Campaign Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal
