Bruce Allan Jensen
| LtCol Bruce A. Jensen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
Military Service
- Rank: Lt Col
- Serial Number:
- Type: Pilot
- Squadron: 606th Air Commando Squadron
Missions
27 Aug 1967 - Lt. Colonel Jensen flew as part of 'Operation Barrel Roll' which was the covert program of US air campaign conducted over northern Laos in support of the Royal Lao Government against North Vietnam and the Pathet Lao.
He was was the Commander of the 606th Air Commando Squadron operating out of Nakhon Phanom RTAFB.
On August 1967 during a Barrell Roll operations in what was to have been his next to the last mission, Lt. Col Jensen, flying with Captain Francis Smiley, in their A-26A (#64-17642) was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. They both were KIA.
He was interred in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, Plot: Section S Site 1182.
Citations & Awards
- Silver Star w/Oak Cluster
- Distinguished Flying Cross w/Oak Cluster
- Purple Heart
- Air medal (x8)
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Air Force Longevity Award w/3 Oak Clusters
- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
- Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
SILVER STAR CITATION (KOREAN WAR)
Bruce Allan Jensen
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Korean War
Service: Air Force
Rank: First Lieutenant
Battalion: 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron
GENERAL ORDERS: Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 421 (1952)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Bruce Allan Jensen (AFSN: FR-20442/AO-1863453), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as a Pilot, 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group, on 13 March 1952. While on a rail cutting mission near Sanchon, Korea, during inclement weather, Lieutenant Jensen's aircraft was hit and badly damaged by enemy fire. Ignoring the damage to his aircraft and his own personal safety, Lieutenant Jensen elected to continue the attack rather than return to base leaving his wingman unprotected. Diving through heavy flank and small arms fire, Lieutenant Jensen scored two direct hits on a string of boxcars which caused secondary explosions and fires. Breaking off the target, Lieutenant Jensen's aircraft was again hit by enemy fire, but he managed to maintain control, rejoin his flight, and return safely to base. Lieutenant Jensen's aircraft, as a result of the enemy flak and small arms fire, sustained sixty holes. Through his superior pilot skill, high personal courage, and outstanding devotion to duty, Lieutenant Jensen reflected great credit upon himself and the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
SILVER STAR CITATION (VIETNAM WAR)
Bruce Allan Jensen
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Battalion: 505th Air Commando Squadron
Division: 7th Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Allan Jensen (AFSN: FR-20442/AO-1863453), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as pilot of an attack aircraft of the 606th Air Commando Squadron, 56th Air Commando Wing, SEVENTH Air Force, in Southeast Asia on 26 April 1967. On that date, Colonel Jensen was engaged in a night armed reconnaissance flight over a heavily-fortified and mountainous area when he detected a hostile forces' vehicular convoy. Despite a hail of ground fire surrounding his aircraft, the loss of his tactical navigation system, and extremely adverse weather conditions, Colonel Jensen proceeded to attack the convoy and succeeded in destroying it. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Jensen has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS CITATION (KOREAN WAR)
Bruce Allan Jensen
Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Korean War
Service: Air Force
Rank: First Lieutenant
Battalion: 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron
GENERAL ORDERS: Headquarters, 5th Air Force, Special Order G-453 (1952)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Bruce Allan Jensen (AFSN: FR-20442/AO-1863453), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy on 28 June 1952. Lieutenant Jensen displayed exceptional leadership and flying ability when he led and directed an attack against a concentration of enemy vehicles near Singosan, Korea. Despite fire from heavy gun positions, immediately before reaching the target, Lieutenant Jensen led his flight through broken cloud formations to the target area. As a result of his leadership, his flight was successful in the mission as part of the 49th Fighter Bomber Group of twenty-four aircraft which was credited with destroying one hundred fifty enemy vehicles, fifty fuel drums, and killing an estimate one hundred fifty enemy troops. There was also a probable destruction of eight automatic weapons positions. Through his outstanding leadership and use of superior combat tactics, Lieutenant Jensen has brought great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS CITATION (VIETNAM WAR)
Bruce Allan Jensen
Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
Battalion: 505th Air Commando Squadron
Division: 7th Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Allan Jensen (AFSN: FR-20442/AO-1863453), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-26 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 26 August 1967. On that date, Colonel Jensen flew his aircraft over a heavily defended area of opposing forces in intense weather and rugged mountainous terrain. Persevering in the face of danger, he relentlessly and effectively aided in neutralizing the hostile forces. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Jensen reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Planes
Crew
Disposition
- KIA 27 Aug 1967
He is listed on the Vietnam Wall, Panel 25E, Line 51.
Personal Life
Bruce Allan Jensen was born 18 Nov 1928 in Green River, Sweetwater County, WY.
Family
Bruce Douglas Jensen (son)
Images
Records and Personnel Information
Personnel Data on these pages came from the following sources:
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund - Wall of Faces (www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces)
- Honor States (www.honorstates.org)
- Together We Served (http://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf)
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