The cockpit was choking with smoke as Colonel William A. Jones III forced his A-1H Skyraider through another low pass near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. Anti-aircraft fire raked the valley, and his aircraft had already taken a direct hit, but he pressed on, searching for the downed American pilot who had parachuted into enemy territory.

When he finally spotted the survivor, enemy guns opened up from the high ground. Jones knew that unless those weapons were silenced, no rescue attempt would succeed.

He dove straight into the fire.

Moments later, flames engulfed his cockpit, and his ejection system failed. Badly burned and with his radio fading, Jones faced a choice: bail out over hostile ground or fight to keep the crippled Skyraider in the air.

He chose the latter, flying home to del

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