Navy Commander honored after 50 years at San Diego Air & Area Museum ceremony

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — U.S. Navy Commander Hank Robust was serving because the Commanding Officer of Assault Squadron 212 aboard the USS Hancock when he was shot down over Vietnam in Might of 1972.

In the present day, members of his squadron proudly noticed as his title was unveiled below the cockpit on the portside of the San Diego Air and Area Museum’s A-4 Skyhawk.

“To see him get what he deserves, the dignity he deserves, it truly is a heartwarming factor to be part of,” mentioned Jerry Tucker, a retired Navy fighter pilot.

“It’s at all times vital to acknowledge warriors, no matter their function may need been,” mentioned Richard Evert, a retired Navy Captain.

Members of Robust’s squadron recounted the horrors of the day he made the final word sacrifice.

“I noticed Rob ‘fireball’ Barber flip right into a flaming ball as a result of his airplane had been hit,” mentioned Greg Marshall, a retired Navy Commander.

“I heard just a little thump, and I believed perhaps I had hit the jet wash of the aircraft proper in entrance of me as a result of we’re all in the identical dive collectively. Shortly after that I believe our skipper got here up behind me and mentioned Rob you’re hit, you’re on hearth, head for the seashore,” mentioned Veteran, Rob Barber.

“However we didn’t understand that Commander Robust had been misplaced till we obtained again over the water and issues settled down just a little bit and we realized that skipper wasn’t there,” mentioned Greg Marshall, retired Navy Commander.

Commander Frank Inexperienced piloted an A-4F Skyhawk from Assault Squadron 212 simply weeks in a while July 10, 1972, when his Skyhawk went down and he was killed within the crash. Till right now, Commander Inexperienced’s title was the one title displayed on the plane.

“This can be a fantastic event. 50 some odd years later we’re correcting this. It’s an important feeling,” mentioned Veteran Rob Barber.

“That is correcting the historic file with a correct reverence to those two nice heroes,” added Naval Aviator, John Wilks.