US Air Force legend Robert “Bob” Pardo, known for his selfless action known as “Pardo’s Push” during the Vietnam War, has died Dec. 5 in College Station, Texas.
He was 89.
On March 10, 1967, Pardo, then a US Air Force captain, and weapons officer 1st Lt. Steve Wayne were deep in enemy territory on a bombing run in Vietnam.
Flying alongside another F-4C Phantom airplane, piloted by Capt. Earl Aman and 1st Lt. Robert Houghton, the pair of jets tasked with eliminating North Vietnam’s only steel mill, which was heavily fortified with anti-aircraft guns and artillery.
Both aircraft started taking enemy fire from the ground, damaging both Pardo’s and Aman’s Phantoms.
“We took at least one hit, maybe two, right in the belly of the airplane,” Pardo recounted in a 2015 interview with the Air Force Veterans in Blue program.
After taking the initial enemy contact, Aman’s airplane was hit again and lost too much fuel to get out of enemy territory and return to base safely.
“I knew if I didn’t do anything, they would have to eject over North Vietnam into enemy territory, and that would have resulted in their capture for sure,” Pardo said. “At that time, if you were captured by civilians, you were probably going to be murdered on the spot.”
In a selfless act to save his fellow airmen, Pardo pushed Aman’s jet using the nose of his aircraft against Aman’s tailhook — a retractable hook on the underside of the plane used to assist with landing.
Pardo helped Aman’s Phantom decrease altitude by 1,500 feet per minute and guided the plane back into friendly territory.
Both aircrews then safely ejected over the Laotian border and were rescued by friendly forces.
Following the heroic air feat, Pardo recalls being asked frequently, ‘How did you have the courage to make the decision, knowing that the windshield could break at any time?’”
Read Related Also: The Shady Clue That Made Willie Nelson's Second Wife Discover His Infidelity
“My dad taught me that when your friend needs help, you help,” the Vietnam War hero answered.
“I couldn’t have come home and told him I didn’t even try anything because that’s exactly what he would have asked me. He would’ve said, ‘Did you try?’”
Though it would seem his command would be greatly pleased with his selfishness, Lt. Gen. William Wallace ‘Spike’ Momyer, commander of the 7th Air Force in Vietnam, would reprimand him for sacrificing his multimillion-dollar jet in a rescue.
Facing a court-martial, Pardo was saved from punitive actions by his wing commander, Col. Robin Olds, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
Pardo would be awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military award, for his actions twenty years after the aerial rescue.
Aside from his Silver Star, his awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Air Medal with twelve Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Born in Herne, Texas, in 1934, Pardo began his Air Force career in 1954 when he was 19 years old.
He logged 132 flying missions during the Vietnam War.
Pardo retired from the Air Force in 1974 as a lieutenant colonel.
“He is a legend, but his legacy is the thing he did and you can do things like that, it doesn’t have to be pushing somebody’s airplane, you can be helping somebody,” his son, John Pardo told KBTX on Wednesday.
“His character was one of outstanding individuals, his principles were unparalleled, and his love for his country was utmost in his mind. Helping Earl and Bob Houghton the best we could is the greatest example ever, in the air, of one person trying to save somebody else’s life.”
“That is the only time that one airplane has actually pushed the other in aviation history.”
