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Casualty Info
Home Town Cameron, Missouri
Last Address Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand
Casualty Date Jul 23, 1966
Cause MIA-Died in Captivity
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location Vietnam, North (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Graceland Memorial Cemetery - Cameron, Missouri
Lt. Col. Gene Pemberton enlisted in the Army Air Corps Reserves as a Private on 24 November 1944. (No details of service.) Following his service, he attended Northwestern Missouri State College and University of Kansas, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Chemistry.
In 1966, then Major Gene Pemberton was an F-105 pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, at Takhli RTAFB, Thailand.
His aircraft an F-105F (#63-8338) was hit by an SA-2 during "Iron Hand" strike seven miles west of Phuc Yen, North Vietnam, crashing just north of Hoa Lac. He was lost along with his navigator, then Major Benjamin Newsom. He died in captivity on 24 July 1966. Their remains were returned in 1974.
Silver Star Citation
Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Gene Thomas Pemberton, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Phuc Yen, North Vietnam, on 23 July 1966.
On that date, Major Pemberton was the flight leader of a four-ship F-105 aircraft team assigned to patrol the heavily defended Red River Delta in search of hostile surface-to-air missile sites. Despite encountering extremely adverse weather and heavy defenses, Major Pemberton courageously pressed the attack in complete disregard of his personal safety. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Pemberton has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Action Date: July 23, 1966 Service: Air Force Rank: Major Company: 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron Division: Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand
