Our Mission
The Fight for the Stinger 41 Lost Awards
The Original Error
Within days of the shootdown, the pilot was posthumously recommended for the Medal of Honor and received the Air Force Cross. Award recommendations for the surviving crew were also submitted, but due to the rapid drawdown and deactivation of the squadron, these critical commendations were lost in the system. The commanders who witnessed the heroism expected approval; their recognition was never granted
The Core Injustice
Our mission is singular: To ensure the airmen of AC-119K Gunship Stinger 41 receive the combat valor decorations they earned and were unjustly denied for their extraordinary heroism in Vietnam.
On May 2, 1972, the ten-man crew of Stinger 41 flew what can only be described as a suicide mission—a low, slow, daylight attack on a critically important target over the most heavily defended area of South Vietnam. Fully aware of the risk, the crew volunteered, sacrificing the tactical advantage of their night-designed gunship. They faced intense 37mm anti-aircraft fire until Stinger 41 took a direct hit, destroying both right-wing engines. Three brave airmen were killed in the resulting crash. Seven survived bailing out of the stricken aircraft while under enemy fire during one of the largest combat search and rescue operations in South Vietnam during the war.
The Continuing Injustice: A Flawed Process
Decades later, the AC-119 Gunship Association recognized the fact that the aircrew had not been awarded the recommended military decorations honoring their performance during the intense combat that followed and reconstructed the original awards package for approval by the Air Force. This recommendation was supported by a former Secretary of the Air Force and 24 General Officers (including 4 former Chiefs of Staff) who were all combat veterans. However, subsequent Air Force Decorations Board reviews have been fraught with error and inconsistency:
-
2022 Disapproval: The Board dismissed the case in a mere nine days, ignoring the required 4–6 month thorough review. Six awards were denied, two downgraded, and one deferred, forcing the cancellation of a planned 50th-anniversary ceremony.
-
2025 Denial Upheld: A formal appeal, authored by a former Secretary of the Air Force and supported by overwhelming expert testimony, was dismissed by the Secretary of the Air Force. The Board's reasoning disregarded historical precedent (including the Manta 75 and Spare 617 cases) and applied inconsistent standards for valor recognition.
Why This Matters
This is about more than just medals; it is about honoring a debt owed to heroes who risked and lost their lives. The inconsistency in recognition is unacceptable:
|
Crew Member |
Original Heroic Action |
Current Recognition |
|---|---|---|
|
Pilot (Posthumous) |
Ordered co-pilot to evacuate 30 seconds before impact (saving his life). |
Air Force Cross (received in 1972). |
|
Co-Pilot |
Obeyed order and parachuted at 300 feet into enemy territory. Performed identical combat duties as pilot. |
Zero Recognition. (Despite a Manta 75 co-pilot receiving the Silver Star in a similar scenario.) |
|
The Crew |
Displayed voluntary gallantry and heroic survival under fire. |
Seven denied, two downgraded, one deferred. |
Our Request
We are appealing directly to the public and to military leadership to acknowledge these facts and correct this persistent failure of process and fairness.
We request a thorough, unbiased, and factual review of the actions of the Stinger 41 crew, with the goal of granting these brave individuals the recognition they truly deserve. Their heroism—both in combat and in survival—is unambiguous.
Join us in this fight to honor their legacy
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
Stinger 41 Facebook Posts
AC-119 Start-Up and preparing for mission, photo from Cliff Groves collection A-1 Skyraider Pilot NKP 1971-72
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