Wednesday, March 4th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Wednesday, March 4th — 

On this day, back in 1976 — Captain Lance Sijan, Class of ’65, posthumously becomes the first graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor.  President Gerald Ford presented the award to Captain Sijan’s parents at a White House ceremony.  On January 22, 1968, then-First Lieutenant Sijan died while in captivity in North Vietnam.  He had been reported missing in action after he ejected from his disabled F-4C “Phantom II” aircraft on November 9, 1967 during a night bombing mission near Vinh, North Vietnam. 

…Also on this day, back in 1998 — The fifth National Character and Leadership Symposium begins at the Academy.  The topic of the event was “Excellence in All We Do: Personally and Professionally.” 

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