A Cannonite now rests among the stars Published Oct. 25, 2013 CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Brig. Gen. Robinson "Robbie" Risner was lost to the pages of history earlier this week. This Airpower Giant was 88 years young. Long before he became a symbol of patriotism, known for his heroism and leadership during his 7.5 years as a Vietnam War Prisoner of War, Risner crossed paths with our base here on the High Plains. The general began his career with an enlistment in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943. A year later, after earning his pilot wings, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and went on to the fly P-38 and P-39 aircraft in World War II. In August 1946, Risner was relieved from active duty. He then joined the Oklahoma National Guard to fly P-51s. Six months after war came to the Korean Peninsula, Risner was recalled to active duty. In May 1952, he was assigned to the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing at Kimpo, Korea. While with the 336 FIS, Risner flew 110 combat missions, while destroying eight enemy aircraft earning the title of Korean War Ace. After leaving Korea, the general made the first of his two permanent change of station moves to the Llano Estacado. Assigned to Clovis Air Force Base, N.M., and the 50th Fighter Bomb Wing in March 1953, the general served as the Director of Operations for the 81st Fighter Bomber Squadron. He served in that position through the wing's relocation to Hahn Air Base, Germany in November 1954. Twenty-one years after leaving eastern New Mexico, Risner returned. This time, he returned to a vastly different base. So different was the base that even the name had changed! Renamed Cannon Air Force Base, the general served as the 832nd Air Division Commander for 1.5 years until his departure for Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. In the years between Cannon assignments, Risner did not sit idly by. He set a transatlantic speed record after his selection to fly the Charles Lindberg Commemoration Flight. He accomplished the New York to Paris flight aboard an F-100F Super Sabre in six hours and 37 minutes. Risner also commanded the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, temporarily assigned to Korat Royal Thailand Air Force Base, during Operation Rolling Thunder. In March 1965, the general's F-105 was hit by ground fire; he was then ejected over the Gulf of Tonkin and later rescued. He was not as fortunate on the morning of August 12, 1965, when his aircraft, another F-105, was again hit by ground fire. He attempted to make it to the gulf, but was not as able; the general was taken prisoner as he tried to extricate himself from his parachute. Taken to the infamous Hanoi Hilton, Risner remained there for the next 7.5 years, with three of those years spent in solitary confinement. Among Brig Gen Robinson Risner's awards and decorations, he was the recipient of two Air Force Crosses, two Silver Stars, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, eight Air Medals and four Purple Hearts. General Risner retired from active service in 1976. From the men and women of the 27th Special Operations Wing - Mission complete, sir! Rest in Peace!