Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Award of Air Force Cross to Charles L. Schaub
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
1. Award of Air Force Cross to Charles L. Schaub Marker
The Air Force Cross
to
Charles L. Schaub
Staff Sergeant Charles L. Shaub distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a C-130E Loadmaster for the 776th Tactical Airlift Squadron at An Loc Republic of Vietnam, on 15 April 1972. On that date, while accomplishing a tactical emergency low level airdrop of critically needed ammunition to a besieged concentration of allied forces, Sergeant Shaub's aircraft was severely damaged by hostile anti-aircraft fire. The explosive cargo was ignited, starting an intense fuselage fire. Realizing the immediate danger to the aircraft and crew, Sergeant Shaub risked his own life to jettison the burning cargo seconds before it exploded and to extinguish a raging fuselage fire, sustaining severe burns on his face, neck and hands in the process. By these actions, Sergeant Shaub saved the lives of his fellow crew members and prevented the loss of his aircraft. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Sergeant Shaub reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Erected 2007 by Maxwell-Gunter AFSNCOA Class 07-A.
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Location. 32° 24.262′ N, 86° 14.974′ 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 Charles D. McGrath (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Jon D. Harston (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Theodore M. Hamlin (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Leroy M. Wright (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Timothy A. Wilkinson (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Donald G. Smith (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to John A. Chapman (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Michael E. Fish
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
2. Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques.
Regarding Award of Air Force Cross to Charles L. Schaub. C-130 loadmaster SSgt. Charles L. Shaub and fellow crewmembers were to drop ammunition and supplies to US forces in the Vietnamese jungle on April 15, 1972. En route, the airplane was hit by anti-aircraft fire, which caused a fire in the cargo area. Shaub instinctively jettisoned the explosive crates on board—which exploded within seconds of their exit—and began extinguishing the fierce fire within the plane. Although he suffered severe burns, he had the blaze under control within minutes, saving the airplane and his four crewmates.
Photographed By USAF Photo
3. Charles L. Schaub
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.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 563 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
