USAF announces it had upgraded the award of a Bronze Star with Valor to a Silver Star for MSgt. James Calfee, who was killed in combat during a firefight March 11, 1968, at Lima Site 85, a top secret radar facility in Laos. Calfee was seriously injured when North Vietnamese troops stormed the site, but he continued firing to enable five of his fellow airmen to reach a rescue helicopter. He died at the site. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) presented the new medal to Calfee’s sisters during a private ceremony in his office Aug. 16, 2012. The Air Force on Oct. 15 formally recognized Calfee’s Silver Star during a memorial ceremony at Barksdale AFB, La., for the Lima Site airmen.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.