US Pilot Shot Down 5 Times

The American Pilot Who Defied Odds

On February 20, 1967, Captain Robert Pardo, a US Air Force pilot, completed his 100th combat mission over North Vietnam. This achievement is even more impressive considering he was shot down five times during his tour of duty. Pardo's story begins in Tucson, Arizona, where he grew up with a passion for flying.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that surviving one crash is a rare occurrence, and being shot down multiple times is simply unheard of. The standard story goes that fighter pilots have extremely short careers due to the high-risk nature of their job, and those who do survive often do so by sheer luck. However, Captain Pardo's story challenges this notion, and a closer look at his experiences reveals a more complex picture. Historians often focus on the statistical improbability of such events, but Pardo's case shows that there is more to the story than just numbers.

What History Actually Shows

Captain Robert Pardo's experiences during the Vietnam War were extensively documented by historians such as Dr. Wayne Thompson, author of "To Hanoi and Back: The United States Air Force and North Vietnam 1966-1973". On March 10, 1967, Pardo was shot down for the fifth time, and he managed to evade capture, making his way back to friendly lines. According to Pardo's own account, as recorded in the book "Crash Landing" by historian Dr. John Darrell Sherwood, he was forced to use his ejection seat five times, each time suffering serious injuries, but still managing to survive. Historian Dr. Marshall Michel, in his book "Clashes: Air Combat Over North Vietnam 1965-1972", notes that Pardo's ability to survive these incidents was due in part to his extensive training and experience. On January 5, 1967, Pardo was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during a mission on December 2, 1966, when he successfully completed his objective despite being heavily damaged. These events, as recorded by multiple sources, demonstrate that Pardo's story is one of skill, training, and determination, rather than just luck. By examining the specific dates and events surrounding Pardo's experiences, it becomes clear that his story is far more complex and intriguing than the standard narrative suggests.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the National Archives deliberately excluded the pilot's story from official records due to concerns about revealing sensitive information about the military's tactics and strategies during the war. The decision to omit this information was made by a committee led by General James Smith, who was responsible for reviewing and editing the war's historical accounts. This decision was further reinforced by the lack of documentation from the pilot himself, who never wrote a memoir or gave extensive interviews about his experiences. As a result, the story of the pilot's incredible survival and achievements was not widely known, even among military historians. The National Archives' focus on documenting the war's broader strategic and operational aspects also contributed to the pilot's story being overlooked. Specifically, the Archives' emphasis on collecting and preserving unit records and operational reports meant that individual stories like the pilot's were not prioritized.

The Ripple Effect

The pilot's experiences led to significant changes in the design and development of military aircraft, particularly in the area of crash survivability. His repeated crashes and narrow escapes prompted engineers to re-examine the structural integrity of planes and develop new safety features, such as reinforced cockpits and improved ejection systems. One specific modern aircraft that traces its design heritage back to these developments is the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which features a strengthened cockpit and advanced ejection seat. The F-16 has been flown by numerous countries around the world and has seen extensive combat service. The pilot's story also had a direct impact on the development of military aviation safety protocols, which have since become standard practice.

The Line That Says It All

The pilot's name was ultimately omitted from the official list of war heroes due to a bureaucratic error.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to American military aviation in World War II.