SIJAN, LANCE P.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Air Force, 4th Allied POW Wing, Pilot of an F-4C aircraft.
Place: North Vietnam
SIJAN, LANCE P.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Air Force, 4th Allied POW Wing, Pilot
of an F-4C aircraft.
Place: North Vietnam
Date: 9 November 1967.
Entered service at: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Born: 13 April 1942, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Citation:
While on a flight over North Vietnam, Capt. Sijan ejected from his disabled
aircraft and successfully evaded capture for more than 6 weeks. During this
time, he was seriously injured and suffered from shock and extreme weight
loss due to lack of food. After being captured by North Vietnamese soldiers,
Capt. Sijan was taken to a holding point for subsequent transfer to a prisoner
of war camp. In his emaciated and crippled condition, he overpowered 1 of
his guards and crawled into the jungle, only to be recaptured after several
hours. He was then transferred to another prison camp where he was kept
in solitary confinement and interrogated at length. During interrogation,
he was severely tortured; however, he did not divulge any information to
his captors. Capt. Sijan lapsed into delirium and was placed in the care
of another prisoner. During his intermittent periods of consciousness until
his death, he never complained of his physical condition and, on several
occasions, spoke of future escape attempts. Capt. Sijan's extraordinary
heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of
his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force
and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Armed Forces.
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--- General / Personal ---
Last name: SIJAN
First name: LANCE PETER
Home of Record (official): MILWAUKEE
State (official): WI
Date of Birth: Monday, April 13, 1942
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Air Force
Rank: CPT
Serial Number: 394384276
Component: Regular
Pay grade: O3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 1115R
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Saturday, July 1, 1967
Date of Casualty: Monday, January 22, 1968
Age at time of loss: 25
Casualty type: (A4) Hostile, died while captured
Reason: Air loss - Crashed on land (Crew member - Fixed wing aircraft)
Country: North VietNam
Province: Unknown/Not Reported
The Wall: Panel 29E - Row 062
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