Michael J. Estocin’s Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR (Posthumously) to
CAPTAIN
MICHAEL JOHN ESTOCIN
UNITED STATES NAVY
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 20 and 26 April 1967 as a pilot in Attack Squadron One Hundred Ninety-Two (VA-192), embarked in U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CVA-14). Leading a three-plane group of aircraft in support of a coordinated strike against two thermal power plants in Haiphong, North Vietnam, on 20 April 1967, Captain Estocin provided continuous warnings to the strike group leaders of the surface-to-air missile (SAM) threats, and personally neutralized three SAM sites. Although his aircraft was severely damaged by an exploding missile, he reentered the target area and relentlessly prosecuted a Shrike attack in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire. With less than five minutes of fuel remaining he departed the target area and commenced in-flight refueling which continued for over 100 miles. Three miles aft of TICONDEROGA, and without enough fuel for a second approach, he disengaged from the tanker and executed a precise approach to a fiery arrested landing. On 26 April 1967, in support of a coordinated strike against the vital fuel facilities in Haiphong, he led an attack on a threatening SAM site, during which his aircraft was seriously damaged by an exploding SAM; nevertheless, he regained control of his burning aircraft and courageously launched his Shrike missiles before departing the area. By his inspiring courage and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Captain Estocin upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Born: April 27, 1931 in Turtle Creek, Pa…. Listed as missing until declared dead in 1977… Secretary of the Navy W. Graham Clayton Jr. presented the Medal of Honor to his family at the Pentagon on Feb. 28, 1978… Memorialized at Fort Rosencrans National Cemetery in San Diego