This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Broughton, Jacksel Markham, Col USAF(Ret).
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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 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar Length 86.48 ft | 26.36 m Width 109.32 ft | 33.32 m Height 26.25 ft | 8.00 m Engine(s) 2 x Wright R-3350-89 Cyclone 18-cylinder radial engines delivering 3,500hp each. Empty Weight 39,800 lbs | 18,053 kg MTOW 85,001 lbs | 38,556 kg Max Speed 217 mph | 350 km/h | 189 kts Max Range 1,771 miles | 2,850 km Ceiling 23,901 ft | 7,285 m | 4.5 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 0 Armament None. Accommodations 4 + 40 Operators Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Italy, India, Morocco, Norway, Vietnam (South) and the United states of America.