![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Iceal_gene_hambleton.jpg/640px-Iceal_gene_hambleton.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Iceal Hambleton
United States Air Force officer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Iceal Hambleton?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Iceal Eugene "Gene" Hambleton (November 16, 1918 – September 19, 2004) was a career United States Air Force navigator who was shot down over South Vietnam during the 1972 Easter Offensive. He was aboard an EB-66 aircraft whose call sign was Bat 21.[1]: 30 As the ranking navigator/EWO on the aircraft, he was seated immediately behind the pilot, giving him the call sign "Bat 21 Bravo". He survived for 11+1⁄2 days behind enemy lines until he was retrieved in a ground operation. His rescue was the longest and most costly search and rescue mission during the entire Vietnam War.[2] He received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and a Purple Heart during his career.
Iceal Eugene Hambleton | |
---|---|
![]() Hambleton around 1973 | |
Nickname(s) | Gene |
Born | (1918-11-16)November 16, 1918 Rossville, Illinois, U.S. |
Died | September 19, 2004(2004-09-19) (aged 85) Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1943–1973 |
Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Commands | 571st Strategic Missile Squadron |
Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards | Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal (4) Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal |