Key Factors To Consider

“The Secretary of the Air Force Decorations Board, when adjudicating the awards in 2022 and 2024 is bound by Title 10 US Code Section 1130

Note: when the 1972 awards package was reconstructed, Title 10 US Code Section 1130 (see below) required the same rules that were used in 1972 to submit the awards. The shootdown of Manta 75 and the aircrews richly deserved awards should be a good precedence.

COMPARISON WHICH MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE OUTCOME OF THE BOARD

MANTA 75

High value target in most heavily defended airspace in South Vietnam

Pallet of ammunition
On 18 April 1972, C-130 Manta 75, was shot down by AAA over An Loc
A right engine was hit and caught fire
The crew struggled unsuccessfully to keep the aircraft flying
The aircraft crash landed
There was no loss of life
All six USAF crewmembers received the Silver Star in 1972

STINGER 41

Two weeks later, on 2 May 1972, Stinger 41 was scheduled to destroy a high value target

Pallet of ammunition which landed short
Crew accepted an extremely dangerous mission over the most heavily defended airspace in South Vietnam, An Loc
This was a black gunship flying a rare daylight mission in an aircraft designed to fly at night
They made several attempts to acquire the target while attempting to avoid AAA Fire.
Stinger 41 was hit by AAA and the right engines were destroyed
The crew struggled unsuccessfully to keep the aircraft airborne
Three sacrificed their lives in the crash so their crewmembers could live
Seven crew members successfully bailed out and were rescued from a hostile jungle environment

Another way to say it:

Missions were within days of each other in the same hostile area
Both high value targets—ammunition pallets
One mission to drop the pallet the other mission to destroy short dropped pallet
Both aircraft hit by AAA in the right wing
Both aircraft were not able to stay airborne
Both crashed in hostile territory
None died in one--three died in other to save others
Both aircraft--survivors rescued
One crew all were awarded Silver Stars (6)
Other crew awards were downgraded or disapproved

How You Can Help

Appeal to Undersecretary Lohmeier Via "X".
Or mail A physical Letter to Secretary Meink

If you do not have an X (formerly Twitter) account, you will be prompted to create one. Follow the simple instructions provided to complete the account creation process, and then you will be able to send your message.

29th Under Secretary of the Air Force.

MATTHEW L. LOHMEIER

@matthewlohmeier

Crucial: Use this handle to tag him directly in posts. The sources confirm this is the handle he used for political commentary prior to his appointment.

Copy and Paste the following text and Post it on "X" Formerly Twitter

@matthewlohmeier: The Stinger 41 Vietnam heroes were denied earned valor awards in 2024 despite evidence. We urgently ask you to direct a Secretarial Review to correct this injustice & honor their service. Full story: https://www.stinger41.com #Stinger41LostAwards #USAF #Valor

Key Factors