Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Award of Air Force Cross to Thomas A. Newman

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016

1. Award of Air Force Cross to Thomas A. Newman Marker

Inscription.
Citation to Accompany the Award of
The Air Force Cross
to
Thomas A. Newman
Sergeant Thomas A. Newman distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-3E Helicopter Pararescue Specialist in Southeast Asia, on 30 May 1968. On that date, Sergeant Newman voluntarily descended into a hostile jungle environment to rescue a downed Air Force pilot. With complete disregard for his own life, and hampered by darkness and concentrated automatic weapons fire, he requested the rescue helicopter above him to enter a nearby orbit, both for the safety of the crewmembers and to prevent the hovering aircraft from establishing the survivor's location for the unfriendly ground forces. When the rescue helicopter returned, he secured the injured airman to the forest penetrator and protected him with his own body as they ascended to the helicopter. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Sergeant Newman reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Erected 2006 by Maxwell-Gunter AFSNCOA Class 06-A.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Air & Space

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. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list.

Location. 32° 24.257′ N, 86° 14.969′ W. Marker is in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of McDonald Street and Avenue D. Located at the USAF Senior NCO Academy at the Gunter Annex and requires base access. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 McDonald St, Montgomery AL 36114, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Award of Air Force Cross to Victor R. Adams (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Dennis M. Richardson (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Nacey Kent Jr (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Joel E. Talley (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Richard L. Etchberger (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Eugene L. Clay (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Michael E. Fish (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. King (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex.

Regarding Award of Air Force Cross to Thomas A. Newman.

Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016

2. Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques.

During a rescue mission in Laos on May 30, 1968, 40th ARRS pararescueman Sgt. Thomas A. Newman descended from a Jolly Green helicopter while under heavy hostile fire to rescue a downed Air Force pilot. Hindered by darkness and concentrated automatic weapons fire, he asked the helicopter pilot to hover out of enemy range to avoid being hit or disclosing his location. He kept searching for the downed pilot, risking detection by the enemy by calling the pilot’s name. Newman finally found him and radioed for the Jolly Green. When the chopper returned, Newman secured the pilot to the hoist and shielded him with his own body as they were lifted into the aircraft.

Later in his career, he was commissioned as a 2 Lt through the ROTC and retired as a Major.

Thomas A. Newman image. Click for full size.

Photographed By USAF Photo

3. Thomas A. Newman

Enlisted Air Force Cross Description image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016

4. Enlisted Air Force Cross Description

The AF Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy, to any person while serving with the U.S. Air Force, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing enemy force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces, engaged in conflict against an opposing force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. It is awarded for heroic actions second in precedence only to the Medal of Honor and is presented in the name of the President. It was established by Congress by Public Law 88-593 on 6 July 1960.

Enlisted Heritage Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016

5. Enlisted Heritage Memorial Park

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 466 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 28, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.