james robinson robbie risner f86e sabre 12824

Brigadier General James Robinson “Robbie” Risner (January 16, 1925 – October 22, 2013) was a USAF fighter pilot, and a senior leader among U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.

During the Vietnam War, Risner was a double recipient of the Air Force Cross. The first for valor in aerial combat and the second for gallantry as a prisoner of war of the North Vietnamese for more than seven years.

Risner became an ace in the Korean War. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and destroyed eight MiG-15s. He retired as a brigadier general in 1976.

On September 15, after attacked a chemical plant on the Yalu River, Risner’s wingman, 1st Lt. Joseph Logan, was hit by anti-aircraft fire. In an effort to help him reach safety, Risner attempted to push Logan’s aircraft by having him shut down his engine and inserting the nose of his own jet into the tailpipe of Logan’s, an unprecedented and untried maneuver.