This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Britton, Warner Alexander, Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Liberal, Kansas
Last Address Mobile, Alabama
Date of Passing Jun 10, 2005
Location of Interment Pine Crest Cemetery - Mobile, Alabama
He served in many air rescue units and flew combat rescue missions in WWII and Vietnam.
His AF Cross citation: Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Colonel Warner A. Britton (AFSN: 0-42368), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as Helicopter Flight Leader aboard an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, as part of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam, on 21 November 1970. On that date, Colonel Britton led a flight of troop-carrying helicopters on a night mission into an extremely hostile environment in the heart of North Vietnam. Although initial conditions following off-loading troops in the objective area were considerably different than planned, he correctly assessed the new circumstances and at risk of life under direct close range ground fire, again landed, picked up a load of troops, and moved them to a new location. His final departure from the objective area was through an intense array of surface-to-air missiles which he evaded with calm, exceptional flying skill. Colonel Britton, without regard for his personal safety, contributed immeasurably to the tactical success of the rescue attempt. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Colonel Britton reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
General Orders: Department of the Air Force, Special Orders GB-985 (December 15, 1970)
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Convair B-36D Peacemaker Length 162.07 ft | 49.40 m Width 229.66 ft | 70.00 m Height 46.75 ft | 14.25 m Engine(s) 6 x 3,500 hp Pratt & Whitney R-4360-41 air-cooled radials plus 4 GE J47-GE-19 turbojet engines. Empty Weight 171,035 lbs | 77,580 kg MTOW 418,878 lbs | 190,000 kg Max Speed 439 mph | 706 km/h | 381 kts Max Range 7,500 miles | 12,070 km Ceiling 45,197 ft | 13,776 m | 8.6 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 0 Armament 12 x 20mm cannons in nose, tail and fuselage barbettes
Up to 86,000 lbs of bombs held internally. Accommodations 15 Operators the United States of America