Michael J. Estocin

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Michael J. Estocin
April 27, 1931(1931-04-27) – April 26, 1967 (aged 35) (presumed)

Place of birth Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania
Place of death Presumed near Haiphong, North Vietnam
Allegiance Flag of the United States United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1954—1967
Rank Captain
Unit Attack Squadron 192
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Medal of Honor

Michael J. Estocin (April 27, 1931 – April 26, 1967 (presumed)) was a United States Navy officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

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[edit] Biography

Estocin joined the Navy from Akron, Ohio, in 1954 and by April 20, 1967 was serving as a lieutenant commander in Attack Squadron 192, operating off of USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). On that day, he supported a bombing mission over Haiphong, North Vietnam. Six days later, on April 26, he supported another strike over the same city and his plane sustained severe damage, causing the loss of the aircraft. Subsequent searches revealed no trace of the plane. It is unknown whether he was able to eject from the jet, and his final fate is uncertain. For his actions during the two missions, Estocin was promoted to captain in absentia and received the Medal of Honor.

Estocin's disappearance and presumed death occurred one day before his 36th birthday. A marker in his memory was placed in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Captain Estocin's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 20 and 26 April 1967 as a pilot in Attack Squadron 192, embarked in USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). Leading a 3-plane group of aircraft in support of a coordinated strike against two thermal power plants in Haiphong, North Vietnam, on 20 April 1967, Capt. Estocin provided continuous warnings to the strike group leaders of the surface-to-air missile (SAM) threats, and personally neutralized 3 SAM sites. Although his aircraft was severely damaged by an exploding missile, he reentered the target area and relentlessly prosecuted a SHRIKE attack in the face of intense antiaircraft fire. With less than 5 minutes of fuel remaining he departed the target area and commenced in-flight refueling which continued for over 100 miles. Three miles aft of Ticonderoga, and without enough fuel for a second approach, he disengaged from the tanker and executed a precise approach to a fiery arrested landing. On 26 April 1967, in support of a coordinated strike against the vital fuel facilities in Haiphong, he led an attack on a threatening SAM site, during which his aircraft was seriously damaged by an exploding SAM; nevertheless, he regained control of his burning aircraft and courageously launched his SHRIKE missiles before departing the area. By his inspiring courage and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Captain Estocin upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

[edit] See also

United States Navy Portal

[edit] References