Korea was probably the high point of my whole career as far as real gratification is concerned. - James Robinson Risner

About James Robinson Risner

James Robinson "Robbie" Risner (January 16, 1925 – October 22, 2013) was a Brigadier General, fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, and a senior leader among U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. He became a flying ace in the Korean War and commanded a squadron of F-105 Thunderchiefs in the first missions of Operation Rolling Thunder during the Vietnam War, and was a double recipient of the Air Force Cross, the second highest military decoration for valor that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force, awarded 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. He was the first living recipient of the medal. Risner flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. He retired as a brigadier general in 1976.

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