SGT WILLIAM ROY PEARSON

WILLIAM ROY PEARSON

Silver Star Citation
William R. Pearson Date of death: Killed in Action Status: KIA AWARDS AND CITATIONS Silver Star Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant William R. Pearson, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 April 1972. On that date, Sergeant Pearson was flying as a Pararescue Specialist of an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter that was attempting to rescue the survivors of downed United States aircraft from certain death or capture by hostile armed forces. Flying into a heavily defended area, the aircraft encountered severe ground fire and, while attempting to egress the area, received additional hostile fire rendering the aircraft uncontrollable at an extremely low altitude. By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the dedication of his service to his country, Sergeant Pearson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Action Date: 6-Apr-72 Service: Air Force Rank: Sergeant
Apr 6, 2015

Daniel Manion
danmanion@charter.net
Best friend, fellow Pararescueman,
2 timbersong rd Weaverville nC 28787 US
My best friend and comrade in arms. You are truly missed.
Billy was one of my best friends serving with me in Da Nang. Our job was to rescue downed pilots in North and South Vietnam. As I exited my Helicopter after returning from another mission Billy and I met for the last time on the flightline as he Loaded his gear on my chopper. We joked and shook hands and the next thing I knew I was listening to the radio as Billy, Al Avery and the remainder of the crew attempted to rescue of two pilots that had been evading the enemy for over a week. I listened to the radio as Jolly 67 attempted to rescue the downed pilots. The next thing I heard was jolly 67 is down. The entire crew was lost. They gave their live trying to save others,. They lived and died by our motto ' These things we do that others may live'. They will never be forgotten and their ranks will contiually be filled by fellow PJs who will live and die by the same motto. HOO-Yah!!!
Sep 13, 2010

♥ Jackie Taylor
I Will Remember You
http://www.geocities.com/vietnamwa

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor You each time we stand and sing the words, THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE. Thank you for your bravery, courage and dedication to our Country and freedom. Rest In Peace and Honor.
Apr 6, 2009

Malcolm Kirby
mlkdrk@earthlink.net
USAF Veteran-191st photo recon.
Rest in Peace, my Brother
You will not be forgotten...
Apr 18, 2008

Jennifer Burns
sky_lava@yahoo.com
466 LongBranch rd Chesnee S.C. 29323
Though you are gone you will never be forgotten! You and men
like you, are the reason we are free today! I just wanted to say THANK YOU for the sacrifices that you made! I hold you and those like you in the highest regard and you deserve nothing less! I love you all, you were and always will be HEROES to me! I promise never to take for granted the freedoms I have, which you paid the ultimate price for! Happy Birthday!
I WILL REMEMBER YOU!!!

Gratefully yours, Jenn.

Apr 18, 2007

manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
�You are Remembered�
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.� Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Apr 6, 2007

Bill Gallenstein
USAF E4 Veteran
Zephyrhills FL 33541 USA
cold war USAF veteran remembers you on this day. My God bless you and your family always. I salute you, Thank you

Mar 4, 2007

You are not Forgotten

Arlington National Cemetery
8/10/2006

cathy odhiambo
manders2@aisd.net
Mr. Anderson's History Student
2000 sam houston dr
Arlington, tx 76014 US
My adopted MIA
Senior Airman Pearson, William Roy, My name is Cathy Odhiambo. I'm a 2004 student at Sam Houston High School in Arlington, TX. As part of a class assignment on Vietnam MIA's, I learned your story and shared it with my classmates. I learned of your sacrifice and will remember you in my prayers.
Tuesday, May 18, 2004

LArry MUse
Zihuatanejojoe@netzero.net
Fellow Service Man
10914 Mayfield Road
Houston, Tx 77043 USa
Largest Rescue Attempt Ever-Air Force
Allen Jones Avery Tech Sergeant, United States Air Force Born at Auburn, Massachusetts, February 22, 1943. James Harold Alley Sergeant, United States Air Force Born at Plantation, Forida, September 18, 1949. John Henry Call III Captain, United States Air Force Born at Potomac, Maryland, February 2, 1947. Peter Hayden Chapman II Captain, United States Air Force Born at Centerburg, Ohio, August 26, 1940. William Roy Pearson Sergeant, United States Air Force Born at Warner, New Hampshire, April 18, 1951. Roy Dewitt Prater Tech Sergeant, United States Air Force Born at Tiffin, Ohio, July 1, 1936. Thanks to Keith Barnes of Arlington National Cemetery for providing some of this information and for helping us to remember these brave young Americans. Rest In Peace Forever Young Courtesy of United States Air Force Press Service Twenty-five years after the longest search-and-rescue mission in Air Force history, two pararescuemen, a mechanic, photographer, pilot and co-pilot, were remembered November 19, 1997 for giving their lives trying to save others. Six crewmen from Jolly Green 67, Captains John Call III and Peter Chapman II, Technical Sergeants Allen J. Avery, James Alley and Roy D. Prater, and Sergeant William R. Pearson, were honored at Arlington National Cemetery. Their remains were recently returned home from their fatal attempt to rescue a downed navigator in Vietnam their helicopter crashed after being hit by enemy fire. The object of their rescue attempt was Lieutenant Colonel Iceal Hambleton, whose call sign was Bat-21. He was flying aboard an EB-66 leading a B-52 bomber strike when his aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile. The only one to eject safely, Hambleton landed near a highway junction on a Communist supply route. Intelligence sources reported 30,000 enemy troops in the area. On the fourth day of search-and-rescue operations, Jolly Green 67 went down. All aboard were lost. Air Force, Army and Navy teams continued fighting for the next seven days to retrieve Hambleton before he was saved. A quarter century later, the funeral service for the Jolly Green 67 crew began with a fly-over by two MH-53J Pave Low III helicopters from Hurlburt Field, Florida. The Air Force Honor Guard and Air Force Band from Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., also helped commemorate the event. Among the mass of people at Arlington paying respects to the helicopter crew were red beret-wearing pararescuemen who honored their fallen comrades. The veterans also represented pararescuers who served in Southeast Asia and rescued more than 3,800 servicemembers during the war. Among those who could not attend the funeral was Bat-21 himself however, the 78-year-old Hambleton wrote about how much he appreciated the sacrifice of the Jolly Green 67 crew. Dan Manion, one of many pararescuemen who helped search for Hambleton, read the letter. "This is a crew of real heroes," Manion said. "They were doing what they had been trained to do. They deserve all the accolades that we, the living, can bestow upon them. Again, I thank them, I honor them, and I will always hold great faith in my heart with them." Colonel Mark Clark was a first lieutenant at the time of the Bat-21 search, and was the first to go in trying to extract Hambleton. But Clark's OV-10 was shot down, and he became part of the Bat-21 rescue. He, too, was saved. He attended the Arlington ceremony and addressed the Jolly Green 67 family members. "Each of you played a distinct role and forming the character of these men who so willingly paid a very dear price to help me get out of the jungles of Vietnam," he said. "You have my deepest sympathy you and these six brave men." The United States Air Force Honor Guard Escorts The Six Young Men To Their Final Resting Place In Arlington National Cemetery.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006