The Capt. Lance P. Sijan Memorial Statue

HERITAGE MINUTE

The United States Air Force Academy has one graduate Medal of Honor recipient. His name is Lance Peter Sijan, Class of 1965. ----more----

To honor him, a bronze sculpture of Sijan is on display at the Southeast Asia Plaza of Heroes. Situated on the Heritage Trail adjacent to the Association of Graduates’ Doolittle Hall, the work of art was dedicated on November 6, 2015. Sculpted by artist Jim Nance, Class of 1971, the sculpture depicts Sijan’s perseverance and determination. On November 9, 1967, First Lieutenant Sijan was reported missing when he ejected from his disabled F-4C aircraft during a night bombing mission near Vinh, North Vietnam. Despite serious injuries, he managed to evade capture for 46 days before being taken prisoner of war. After failed escape attempts, he died in captivity on January 22, 1968. Sijan was promoted to captain while a POW. On March 4, 1976, Sijan would become the first USAFA graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor. President Gerald R. Ford presented the award to Captain Sijan’s parents at a White House ceremony. A few months later, on May 31, 1976, the Academy’s newest dormitory was dedicated and named Sijan Hall. A statue of Sijan also graces the Cadet Area, joining statues of Valmore Bourque and Karl Richter in the Mall of Heroes.

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