United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Vietnam War

1969-1975

— Air Warrior Combat Memorial —

The Vietnam War Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 3, 2023

1. The Vietnam War Marker

Inscription. On entering office in 1969, President Richard M. Nixon embraced Vietnamization and began to withdraw U.S. forces from the conflict. As U.S. ground forces declined in strength, U.S. air forces became essentially a strategic rear guard and reaction force, protecting U.S. and South Vietnamese forces as U.S. ground combat strength declined. In late March 1972, North Vietnam mounted a multi-front invasion of South Vietnam, remembered as the Easter Offensive. Nixon responded with a massive reinforcement of U.S. Air Force and Navy airpower to stymie the offensive. In May 1972 Nixon escalated the conflict, ordering the closing of North Vietnamese ports and Operation Linebacker, a sustained air campaign designed to cut off North Vietnamese logistics from the battle area. Taking advantage of precision weapons and reduced restrictions on air operations, the Linebacker campaign and South Vietnamese forces, with massive air support, were able to halt the offensive.

In order to reach a final settlement of the conflict, in December 1972, Nixon ordered a massive, sustained air campaign against the North Vietnamese heartland

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under Operation Linebacker II. Linebacker II is credited with producing the final cease-fire agreement. The Paris Peace Accords were signed in January 1973 and by April the American POWS were released.

The Mayaguez Incident was the last battle of the Vietnam War. On 12 May 1975, Khmer Rouge forces seized the American vessel SS Mayaguez off Cambodia's coast. Two graduates of the Academy's Class of 1971, 1 Lt. Donald Backland and 1 Lt. Richard Brims, were awarded the Air Force Cross in recognition of their role in attempts to rescue the crew. The recapture of the Mayaguez came two weeks after the fall of South Vietnam in March-April 1975.

The toll of Vietnam was significant to USAFA: 141 Air Force Academy graduates, from the Classes of 1959 through 1972, gave their lives in the conflict in Southeast Asia. Thirty-three graduates were shot down and taken prisoner by North Vietnam during the war, among a total of 222 Air Force POWs. Many were subjected to torture during their captivity, and all faced extreme hardship and peril. That number included Captain Lance Sijan, USAF Academy Class of 1965, the first Academy Medal

The Vietnam War Marker (partially shown on right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 3, 2023

2. The Vietnam War Marker (partially shown on right)

of Honor recipient.

Erected by USAFA Class of 1971.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Vietnam. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1973.

Location. 39° 1.266′ N, 104° 50.946′ W. Marker is in United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, in El Paso County. It can be reached from the intersection of Stadium Boulevard and North Gate Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: USAF Academy CO 80840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range

and in Pikes Peak Region.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comanchería.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Vietnam War (here, next to this marker); The Persian Gulf War (here, next to this marker); War in the Balkans (here, next to this marker);

First Lieutenant Lance P. Sijan in front of a F-4 Phantom II aircraft. image. Click for full size.

Public domain (USAF photo)

3. First Lieutenant Lance P. Sijan in front of a F-4 Phantom II aircraft.

Global War on Terrorism (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Vietnam War (a few steps from this marker); The Korean War (a few steps from this marker); New Frontiers for Air Combat (a few steps from this marker); The Cold War Begins (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in United States Air Force Academy.

More about this marker. Must have a valid ID to enter the USAF Academy grounds.

Air Warrior Combat Memorial sign. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 3, 2023

4. Air Warrior Combat Memorial sign.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.