His proficiency in Swahili allows him to play a key role in support of operations in the Congo. He spent almost half a year in his own words, "running around in the bush with the Simbas," during which time he would have been tortured to death had his true identity been discovered. When the Simbas captured Stanleyville, Lunsford made his way to the apartment building where Hanni Portet, Ursula Craig, and Jeffy Craig are sheltering after being stranded by Sabena Airlines and protects them from the rebels. He becomes a good friend to John Oliver and Jacques Portet as a result. President Lyndon Johnson personally decorated him for his service in the Congo Crisis with a Silver Star (his third).