Oscar N. Tibbetts

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Oscar N. Tibbetts, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against the enemy on 23 November 1950, by rescuing an American fighter pilot deep in enemy territory five miles south of Kanggye, Korea. Captain Tibbetts, as pilot of a helicopter, departed from Sinanju, Korea, and flew over eighty miles of enemy occupied territory to attempt the pick-up of a downed F-51 fighter pilot. Prior to departing, Captain Tibbetts was fully aware that enemy troops would be in the immediate area of the downed pilot and that the return to friendly territory would require the maximum range of the helicopter and involve night flying, for which the aircraft was not equipped. Upon reaching the area, the downed pilot fired a flare and began to run to the spot where he assumed Captain Tibbetts would land. With complete disregard for his own life, Captain Tibbetts landed, in spite of enemy automatic small arms fire which was directed at the helicopter and the escaping fighter pilot. With the aid of the medical crew member the injured pilot was loaded into the helicopter. During takeoff, the helicopter was hit in the forward section of the tail cone by small arms fire. Captain Tibbetts flew the last forty-five minutes of the return trip in darkness, without night flying instruments, and landed at Sinanju with his gas supply practically exhausted. Captain Tibbetts’ gallantry under enemy fire reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.