Over North Vietnam, Maj. Leo K. Thorsness, along with his electronic warfare officer, Capt. Harold E. Johnson, destroys two enemy surface-to-air missile sites then shoots down a MiG-17 before escorting search-and-rescue helicopters to a downed aircrew. Although the North American F-105 is very low on fuel, Thorsness attacks four MiG-17s in an effort to draw the enemy aircraft away from area. He then lands at a forward air base. Awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions this day, Thorsness does not receive his medal until 1973, as on April 30, 1967, he is shot down and spends the next six years as a prisoner of war.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.