Michael J Estocin

Era | Vietnam War |
---|---|
Branch | U.S. Navy |
Rank | Captain |
Military Decorations | Distinguished Flying Cross Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Wall | G |
Wall Side | 3 |
Row | 2 |
Plaque Number | 34 |
MEDALS-RIBBONS: Air Medal (12), Navy Commendation w/Combat "V," Combat Action, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Vietnam Service w/3 Stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign
Michael was lost in combat over North Vietnam on 26 April 1967. He was awarded posthumously the Medal of Honor. The USS Estocin FFG-15 was named in his honor.
On April 20. 1967, while leading a three-plane group of aircraft in support of a coordinated strike on two thermal power plants in Haiphong, North Vietnam; he provided continuous warnings to the strike group leaders of the surface-to-air missile (SAM) threats and personally neutralized three SAM sites. His aircraft was severely damaged by an exploding missile, but he reentered the target area and prosecuted a SHRIKE missile attack under intense antiaircraft fire. With less than five minutes of fuel remaining he departed the target area and commenced in-flight refueling until three miles aft of USS Ticonderoga. Without enough fuel for a second approach, he executed a precise, fiery, arrested landing. On April 26th, 1967, in support of a coordinated strike against the vital fuel facilities in Haiphong, he led an attack on a threatening SAM site and his aircraft was seriously damaged by an exploding SAM. Despite the heavy damage he regained control of his burning aircraft and launched his SHRIKE missiles before departing the area. Due to the extensive damage done by the enemy missile strike, Estocin was unable to continue the flight and his plane crashed. His body was never recovered.
Plaque Wall Map
