Lieutenant Sistrunk was the pilot of an AD-4L Skyraider dive bomber and Operations Officer of Fighter Squadron 54 aboard the carrier USS Essex (CV-9). On 18 April 1951, while bombing a bridge in enemy territory, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire. He tried to make it to the east coast but the aircraft went into a steep dive, crashed and exploded. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant Sistrunk was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Gold Stars, the Air Medal with 7 Gold Stars, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.