| Dale E. Stovall | |
| Birth Date: | 19 February 1944 |
| Birth Place: | Toppenish, Washington |
| Branch: | United States Air Force |
| Serviceyears: | 1962–1993 |
| Rank: | Brigadier General |
| Battles: | Vietnam War |
| Awards: | Air Force Cross Silver Star (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Jabara Award |
Dale E. Stovall (born February 19, 1944) is a retired Brigadier General in the United States Air Force who figured prominently in several search and rescue operations during the Vietnam War. A member of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron based in Thailand, on June 2, 1972, he recovered Captain Roger Locher from deep inside North Vietnam, the deepest rescue made during the entire Vietnam War. For his efforts in rescuing Locher, Stovall was awarded the Air Force Cross, which described how "he willingly returned to this high threat area, braving intense ground fire, to recover the downed airman from deep in North Vietnam.".[1] Stovall was also recognized with the 1973 Jabara Award for Airmanship, two Silver Star awards and two Distinguished Flying Cross awards for other combat rescues among the 12 successful rescue missions he accomplished during his tour in Southeast Asia.[2] Stovall retired from the Air Force as a brigadier general on June 1, 1993.
Stovall was born in Toppenish, Washington, and enlisted with the US Air Force in June 1962.[3] The following year, he was accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and graduated with the class of 1967.[1]
During the initial phase of Operation Linebacker in May 1972, a USAF F-4D was shot down by a North Vietnamese Shenyang J-6. Pilot Major Robert Lodge refused to eject, but[4] [5] his weapons officer Captain Roger Locher was able to get out of the aircraft. Locher landed, unseen by either friendly or enemy forces, only from Hanoi, North Vietnam.[6]
Locher evaded capture and covered over, gradually losing and his strength.[7] On June 1, 1972, his 22nd day behind enemy lines, he was finally able to contact a flight of American jets overhead, calling, "Any U.S. aircraft, if you read Oyster 1 Bravo, come up on Guard".[8] Lieutenant James Dunn and others, including Captain Steve Ritchie in one of the F-4 aircraft overhead, heard his radio call and remembered Locher's call sign. When the aircraft answered, Locher calmly responded, "Guys I've been down here a long time, any chance of picking me up?"[9] His transmissions left some Americans who did not hear his call in doubt about the authenticity of his message, and they believed that the People's Army of Vietnam may have manipulated a POW into impersonating him, setting a trap for the would-be rescuers.[6]
Captain Stovall, based at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base in Thailand responded, piloting a HH-53 from the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron along with a rescue force consisting of several A-1Hs and another HH-53.[6] As they neared Locher's position, the A-1 Skyraiders and HH-53C helicopters came under attack from two MiGs, several surface-to-air missiles and gunfire. The rescue force eluded one MiG in a narrow canyon, but were eventually driven back by the enemy fire and failed to get through to Locher on June 1.[10] [2]
On June 2, 1972, General John Vogt, commander of the 7th Air Force canceled the entire strike mission set for Hanoi on that day. He sent a task force of 119 aircraft[2] including Stovall piloting his HH-53, bombers, and an array of F-4 escorts, EB-66s, A-1Hs, F-105G Weasels, and KC135 tankers to get Locher out.[11] "We shut down the war to go get Roger Locher," Stovall later said.[2]
Captain Ronald E. Smith in an A-1H guided Stovall to Locher's position. Only when Locher rose out of the jungle canopy riding the jungle penetrator were all of the Americans sure it was him. Despite their proximity to Yên Bái Air Base, no aircraft were lost during Locher's rescue.[12] At only 60 miles (97 km) from Hanoi, it was the deepest rescue inside North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
| USAF Command pilot badge | |||||||||||
| Silver Star with bronze oak leaf cluster | |||||||||||
| Defense Superior Service Medal | Legion of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster | Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" device and bronze oak leaf cluster | |||||||||
| Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster | Air Medal with silver oak leaf cluster | Air Force Commendation Medal | |||||||||
| Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with bronze oak leaf cluster | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters | National Defense Service Medal with service star | |||||||||
| Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze campaign stars | Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon | |||||||||
| Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon | Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters | Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze star | |||||||||
| Air Force Training Ribbon | Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross | Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal | |||||||||
Capt Stovall was recognized on several occasions for his bravery during the Vietnam War. He received the Silver Star for actions on March 2, 1972. The citation reads in part:[1]
Three months later, on June 27, 1972, he was instrumental in recovering another air man for which he was awarded the Silver Star with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster:[1]
For his flights on two days deep inside North Vietnam on June 1 and 2, 1972, to rescue Maj. Lochar, Stovall received the Air Force Cross on November 22, 1972:[1]
On April 13, 1972, Stovall assisted in rescuing a Marine Corps pilot for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation reads in part:
Stovall was recognized again six months later on December 6, 1972, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.[1]
During peacetime he was recognized with the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster,[1] the Meritorious Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal.