This Military Service Page was created/owned by
AB Raymond Guinn
to remember
Pannill, Harry L. (Cherry 2), Lt Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Charlottesville
Date of Passing Mar 09, 2005
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
His Silver Star Citation reads:
Major Harry L. Pannill distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States during the Prisoner of War search and rescue operation at Son Tay, North Vietnam, on 21 November 1970. On that date, Major Pannill voluntarily participated as a Pilot in a combat flight which safely led the rescue forces deep into enemy territory despite the hazards of darkness, low altitude, adverse weather conditions, and intense enemy antiaircraft fire and surface-to-air missiles. As a result of Major Pannill's heroic efforts, the force arrived at Son Tay without incident, which was essential to the success of the operation. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Pannill has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
The unit was a detachment of four MC-130E (I) Skyhook aircraft, and six 11-man aircrews, initially based at CCK AB, Taiwan, and then at Nha Trang AB, RVN. The classified missions (at the time, Top Secret, Noforn, Limdis, Spec Cat) were (1) airlift in all of Southeast Asia for Military Assistance Command Studies and Observations Group, hereafter referred to as SOG; (2) drop propaganda leaflets over enemy territory for SOG; (3) insert, resupply, and extract clandestine SOG teams behind enemy lines in North Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos; (4) provide Fulton Recovery System (Skyhook) service in enemy territory for SOG's Joint Personnel Recovery Center, referred hereafter as JPRC.
The unit, Det.1, 314th Troop Carrier Wing (PACAF), existed from 1 Sep 1966 until 15 Mar 1968, when it was renamed the 15th Air Commando Squadron and assigned to the 14th Air Commando Wing at Nha Trang.
