This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Broughton, Jacksel Markham, Col USAF(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Utica, New York
Last Address Lake Forest, California
Date of Passing Oct 24, 2014
Location of Interment Miramar National Cemetery (VA) - San Diego, California
He flew 216 combat missions in two wars. He was very outspoken about disagreeing with how the White House and Pentagon were running the war in Vietnam. For this he was treated badly by some of his superiors. After his retirement from the Air Force, he became a published author with the books "Thud Ridge", "Going Downtown", and "Rupert Red Two".
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 Jacksel M. Broughton (AFSN: 0-17035), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, in action over North Vietnam on 5 February 1967. On that date, Colonel Broughton was Mission Commander of a flight of a two wing F-105 Thunderchief strike force which attacked a heavily defended target in North Vietnam. Despite serious aircraft malfunctions, marginal weather, and grave damage to his aircraft from an exploding surface-to-air missile, he placed his armament directly on target, scattering fire and debris which illuminated the target for easy acquisition by the following strike force. Disregarding the crippled condition of his aircraft, which minimized his chances for recovery to friendly territory, Colonel Broughton then willfully acted as a decoy to divert hostile aircraft approaching the strike force. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Colonel Broughton reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
General Orders: Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-188 (June 1, 1967)
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star Length 34.42 ft | 10.49 m Width 38.75 ft | 11.81 m Height 11.25 ft | 3.43 m Engine(s) 1 x Allison J33-A-21 turbojet engine generating 4,500 lb of thrust. Empty Weight 8,175 lbs | 3,708 kg MTOW 15,999 lbs | 7,257 kg Max Speed 577 mph | 928 km/h | 501 kts Max Range 790 miles | 1,271 km Ceiling 45,499 ft | 13,868 m | 8.6 miles Climb Rate 5,000 ft/min (1,524 m/min) Hardpoints 2 Armament 6 x 12.7mm machine guns
Mission-specific ordnance can include any of the following:
2 x 1,000lb dumb bombs 8 x air-to-surface rockets Accommodations 1