Leroy Clyde Schaneberg
Captain, U.S. Air Force

On 30 June 1970, Captain Leroy Clyde Schaneberg was serving as an HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant Helicopter Commander of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, during the Vietnam War.

On that date, while piloting a rescue helicopter in Savanbnekhet Province, Laos, Capt Schaneberg penetrated an area of known hostile concentration in a valiant attempt to rescue an injured American pilot. Undaunted after having to abort his first effort, Capt Schaneberg elected to make a 2nd rescue effort. As Capt Schaneberg's helicopter neared the survivor, it sustained severe battle damage, forcing him to abandon the attempt. With great courage and determination, Capt Schaneberg tried to save the aircraft and his crew, but the badly damaged helicopter became uncontrollable, impacted the ground, and exploded. Capt Schaneberg's extraordinary heroism and superb airmanship that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor, the Air Force Cross.

In March 1994, a joint U.S. and Laotian search team recovered remains from the HH-53C's crash site. In 1995, forensic analysis identified some of the recovered remains as those of Capt Schaneberg.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Air Force Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor Device and Bronze Star
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Presidential Unit Citation with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Air Force Longevity Service Award with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Air Force Pilot Badge

Air Force Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Leroy Clyde Schaneberg (AFSN: 0-328349277), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-53C Aircraft Commander of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Savanbnekhet Province, Laos, on 30 June 1970. On that date, while piloting a rescue helicopter, Captain Schaneberg penetrated an area of known hostile concentration in a valiant attempt to rescue an injured American pilot. Undaunted after having to abort his first effort and without regard for his personal safety, Captain Schaneberg elected to make a second rescue effort. As his helicopter neared the survivor, it sustained severe battle damage, forcing Captain Schaneberg to abandon the attempt. With great courage and determination, Captain Schaneberg tried to save the aircraft and his crew, but the badly damaged helicopter became uncontrollable, impacted the ground, and exploded. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Schaneberg reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Honors

The name Leroy C Schaneberg is located on Panel 9W Line 107 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain Leroy Clyde Schaneberg's remains are buried in a grave with 4 other men at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 34, Site 4988.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15048906/leroy-clyde-schaneberg