Crew chief awarded Purple Heart after 39 year wait

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Patrice Clarke
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. --  Wayne Sufficool vividly remembers what happened to him Feb. 19, 1968, when he was a crew chief on the RF4C aircraft stationed in Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base, Republic of Vietnam. It was the day the flightline area he was working on was hit with more than 40 rounds of 122 mm mortar rounds.

Now Mr. Sufficool has another date that will be permanently etched in his memory. On Aug. 9, 2007, in the presence of his son, Bradley Sufficool, his daughter-in-law Vanessa, and more than 120 6th Air Mobility Wing maintainers and base members, he was awarded his long-awaited Purple Heart Decoration for the wounds he suffered on that fateful day in February more than 39 years ago.

"As a commander, there is nothing more rewarding than officially recognizing individuals for their contributions," said Col. Robert Thomas, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander.

On that fateful day in February, Sergeant Sufficool had been working on the flightline when it came under attack.

"One round exploded between two parked aircraft, turning one into a blazing inferno," said Mr. Sufficool. "The aircraft I was working on was hit with shrapnel and I got hit in my right arm. I had just hooked an oxygen cart to the tow vehicle, and the explosion forced the tow vehicle back pinning my legs. Thankfully, one of my fellow crew chiefs in a bunker not far away heard me yelling for help and came and freed me."

After the war, Mr. Sufficool was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base to finish out the rest of his enlistment.

"It feels good to receive my medal here where I ended my Air Force career," said Mr. Sufficool. "It's a great feeling to see the base again and to come back here. The flightline and hangars all look pretty much the same but the base has expanded."

The ceremony also made an impact on the maintainers stationed at MacDill who attended.

"I am honored and very proud that I was able to witness this ceremony," said Staff Sgt. Marcus Franklin, 6th MXS crew chief. "To actually get a chance to meet someone who has made the Air Force the way it is today and who has laid the groundwork for crew chiefs just like me. It is amazing. This is a memory I will keep for the rest of my Air Force career and my life. I'm glad I got to shake his hand."

For the past few years, the Air Force Personnel Center has processed numerous awards that were earned during World War II, and Korean and Vietnam Wars - but only recently approved.

"Just don't give up," said Mr. Sufficool in response to others who are waiting to receive their medals. "My medal got declined twice before I found two other guys who were stationed with me at the time and gave an eyewitness report. After that my medal was approved."

"I'm glad we got the opportunity to help set the record straight here," said Colonel Thomas.