Levitow’s legacy lives on at Dover

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The Medal of Honor is a decoration many Airmen could only dream of receiving. What the medal represents is more than just the bravery shown in combat, but going above and beyond the call of duty by risking one's life.

One such Airman was deserving of the medal and, through his heroic efforts, he is the epitome of the Air Force's core value "service before self."

President Richard Nixon presented the Medal of Honor to Sgt. John Levitow at the White House May 14, 1970 for heroism. To this day, Sergeant Levitow is the lowest ranking Airman to receive the medal.

Despite his death Nov. 8, 2000, his story and legacy lives on through the Levitow Honor Graduate Award, which is presented to the top professional military education graduate from Airman Leadership Schools.

"There's no better description for an award of a dedicated and honorable man, who nobly put the interest of his mission and crew in mind rather than his own safety," said Senior Airman Kevin Siclari, 9th Airlift Squadron loadmaster and John Levitow Award recipient.

Sergeant Levitow served as an AC-47 gunship loadmaster on a night mission in the Tan Son Nhut Air Base area Feb. 24, 1969. A North Vietnamese Army 82-millimeter mortar shell had landed on top of the right wing and exploded inside the wing frame, and ignited a flare in the aircraft.

"When his aircraft came under attack, Levitow threw himself onto a burning flare, hugged it with his body and dragged it to an open cargo door," said Airman Siclari.

Sergeant Levitow hugged the loose, burning Mark 24 magnesium flare that had been knocked free to prevent it from rolling amid ammunition cans that contained 19,000 rounds of live ammunition.

"I can't imagine what went through his mind as he hugged onto something that could explode at any moment," said Airman Siclari.

Despite the 40 shrapnel wounds in his legs, side and back, Sergeant Levitow left a trail of blood behind him as he crawled with the flare and hurled it through the open cargo door.

"The moment he hurled it through the open cargo door, the flare blew up, and he saved the aircraft and crewmembers," said Airman Siclari. "He had such courage and his actions showed that he didn't give it a second thought, but reacted just in time."

When the AC-47 returned to base, the pilot discovered the valor of Sergeant Levitow as he spotted the blood pattern left behind on the floor of the aircraft.

"When I first heard this story, I was instantly captivated and intrigued by his life and career," said the airman, who saw some similarities between himself and the Vietnam-era sergeant.

Winning the Levitow Award is not the only tie Airman Siclari has to Sergeant Levitow.

They both left their homes in Connecticut to join the Air Force and later cross-trained into the loadmaster career field.

"He was an intelligent and ambitious man who wanted to be successful, and one day, I want to be able to be just as successful," said Airman Siclari, who feels motivated by Levitow's heroism. "I feel if he can be successful, then so can I."

Sergeant Levitow spent more than two months in the hospital healing from his wounds and went right back to Vietnam for another tour of duty, flying 20 more missions and was promoted to sergeant before his discharge from the Air Force four years later.

"I feel even more determined now to be successful and putting my best efforts in to excel in everything I do," said Airman Siclari, who believes the award can not be earned by works or deeds.

Another Levitow Award winner compares the award to winning a distinguished title.

"It's like a writer winning the Pulitzer prize," said Staff Sgt. Phillip Johnson, 436th Force Support Squadron force management supervisor. "What Levitow did was incredibly brave, especially during that time of war. I'm not sure if I could have done what he did, but he is a person I would want to emulate."

The Levitow Award cannot be earned or achieved, according to Airman Siclari, who says he did not have intentions of winning any awards.

"I'm very happy I won the award, but I went to ALS with a genuine desire to gain knowledge from the course, grow as an Airman to become a supervisor, and to build friendships - not to be an award winner," said Airman Siclari. "For me, the Levitow award has an intrinsic value and it is given to one who is the most dedicated - no matter how big or small the task may be, but treating each one with great importance."

(Some information was provided by the Air Force News Agency.)