Gerald Gustafson Gerald Gustafson ( born September 14 , 1928 ) was a pilot after the post - war period of the United States . His most notable achievements came during the Vietnam War , where he was awarded the Air Force Cross . Early life . Gustafson was born in St . Peter , Minnesota in 1929 . His grandparents were Swedish immigrants and his father , Herbert C . Gustafson was an artilleryman in France during World War I . Both parents were offspring of Swedish immigrants . In the early part of his life he lost the tip of his right index finger in a farming accident . Later on his flying career was almost ended because the Air Force considered it a " missing digit " but later changed its classification to a " terminal digit . " Air Force Service . Gustafson initially joined the Air Force in 1950 and after completing basic training in Texas was trained in the use of bombardier equipment on the B - 26 . After completing his training and missing service in the Korean War , he was approved for a new pilot program and trained in Piper Cubs and T - 6 Texan s . He received advanced fighter training in the P - 80 Shooting Star . After his officer and flight training , Gustafson was stationed in Wisconsin ; Thule , Greenland ; Texas ; and California . During this time he flew F - 86D Sabres , F - 102s , and F - 106 Delta Darts . Immediately before his Vietnam service , he was cross trained in the F - 105 Thunderchief out of Nellis AFB . After his service in Vietnam , he flew F - 105s out of Okinowa . Air Force Cross . Gerald Gustafson won the Air Force Cross , the second highest award for gallantry in the United States Air Force , during the Vietnam War . He flew F - 105 Thunderchiefs from Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base base in Thailand and was shot down on two occasions . He was awarded the medal in November , 1967 . His citation noted that " The President of the United States of America , authorized by Title 10 , Section 8742 , United States Code , awards the Air Force Cross to Major Gerald C . Gustafson for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F - 105 Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on November 19 , 1967 . On that date , Major Gustafson ' s aircraft was severely damaged by a surface to air missile while he was assisting another pilot who had received battle damage and had been wounded . Major Gustafson refused to leave his comrade until other escort aircraft could be vectored in to give the wounded pilot assistance in reaching his home base safely . Only then , did Major Gustafson egress to a safer area where he was force to eject from his own stricken aircraft . Through his extraordinary heroism , superb airmanship , and aggressiveness , Major Gustafson reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force . " Gustafson along with Lieutenant Colonel Robert W . Smith and Major Bruce Stocks all received Air Force Crosses for the same mission on November 19 , 1967 . Post - Air Force . After Vietnam , Gustafson was put off of flying duty due to an injury which left his eye unable to dilate properly . He was transferred first to attend at the National War College , then worked at the Pentagon . He retired with the rank of Colonel in 1979 to New Richland . Gustafson is actively involved in the VFW , the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association , and the Air Force Association . He often speaks to students and classes about his experiences .