Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during military operations against an opposing armed force on 11 March 1968. While manning a defensive position as the base was overrun by an enemy ground force firing sustained and withering fire from higher ground, and with his entire crew dead or wounded, he continued to return fire and deny the enemy access to his position. During this period, he also directed air strikes and called for air rescue on his emergency radio, enabling the air evacuation force to locate the surrounded friendly element. When air rescue arrived, he deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire to place his three surviving wounded comrades in rescue slings so they could be airlifted to safety. As he was finally being rescued, he was fatally wounded by enemy ground fire. His fierce defense and supreme sacrifice saved the lives of his three comrades and helped secure the successful evacuation of the remaining survivors of the base, reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.