Vance alumnus receives award at class graduation Published Nov. 28, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- There was a unique twist to the Class 05-06 graduation ceremony March 11. A Vance Air Force Base alumnus was surprised with the presentation of a Distinguished Flying Cross award for heroic actions he did before members of the class were even born. Former Capt. Fred Lamparter was visiting the base and was presented the unannounced award at the end of the ceremony, putting an end to a 37-year-old oversight. "This was a wonderful surprise," he said. "I only came for a nostalgic tour of the base and to witness these men and women stand in a place I once stood. Good luck to all of you and thank you." Mr. Lamparter, who now resides in South Carolina, was a wartime pilot and was never properly recognized for one of his achievements, said Col. Wade Johnson, 71st Flying Training Wing vice commander. "During peacetime, we are able to properly recognize and reward people for exceptional military service. We have the time to prepare certificates, awards and recommendations highlighting outstanding performance, and we have the opportunity to visibly honor people for their achievements. In wartime; however, the things we would like to do to recognize our comrades in arms' accomplishments often do not materialize and the chance to properly recognize these individuals is lost forever. Today, it is my distinct honor and privilege to visibly honor and recognize a past American warrior and correct one injustice." Mr. Lamparter graduated in Class 64-G, Colonel Johnson continued. He worked himself from second pilot to first pilot when he was tapped for a combat flying assignment in late 1966. Tapping multiengine pilots for single-seat low-and-slow combat roles turned out to be a precedent set during the Vietnam era. He went to Vietnam, flying for the Army of the Republic of Vietnam's 2nd Division in I Corps, rather than for the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Tam Ky, just south of Danang, and later was assigned to Ubon, Thailand to fly Ho Chi Minh Trail daylight reconnaissance and night time truck bombing missions. In all, he flew 295 combat missions and had 887 hours of combat time. During one of these combat missions, then-Captain Lamparter received a call for help from a young Army captain. The captain and his unit found themselves surrounded by enemy troops and at risk of being overrun. Placing himself at great personal risk, Captain Lamparter assessed the situation and brought in fighter strikes, saving many lives in the process. As a result, the grateful Army commander nominated his rescuer for the Distinguished Flying Cross. "Because of the heroic actions displayed, the award was easily approved and was to be presented at his next duty station; however, through an unknown administrative error, the presentation never took place. It's time to correct this error, and we shall today," Colonel Johnson said. "This was arguably the biggest positive surprise and shock of my life; my sister came in from New York, my son came in from New Jersey and my son-in-law's parents came in from Alabama," Mr. Lamparter said. "All of this has obviously been going on for months." Mr. Lamparter had previously contacted Bob Farrell, 71st FTW chief of community relations, about touring Vance while he was in Oklahoma for his grandson's first birthday. Mr. Lamparter's daughter and her family, who reside in Duncan, Okla., were also secretly present. Not getting the ceremony for the award has been a personal anecdote Mr. Lamparter has told from time to time, he said. He feels most people who know that story will be relieved to know the oversight has been fixed.