| Notes |
Died:
- U.S., Vietnam War Military Casualties, 1956-1998
Name William George Sipos
Birth Date 4 Oct 1941
Death Date 6 Apr 1967
Gender Male
Age 25
Race Caucasian (White)
Home City West Point
Home State New York
Religion Unknown or Not Reported
Marital Status Married (Spouse Listed) (Married)
SSN/Service # 70808
Citizen Status U.S.
Death Date 6 Apr 1967
Processed Date Apr 1967
Casualty Country Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
Casualty Type Hostile - Died While Missing
Casualty Reason Aircraft Loss/Crash Not at Sea
Casualty Air Fixed Wing Air Casualty - Pilot
Body Status Body Recovered
Service Branch Department of the Air Force
Component Regular (RA, USN, USAF, USMC, USCG)
Military Grade Captain
Pay Grade Captain (U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps) or Lieutenant (U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard)
Province Military Region 1 - Quang Nam
Length of Service 03
Data Source Combat Area Casualties Current File
- Captain Sipos graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1963. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Distinguished Flying Cross Citation
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Army Award) (Posthumously) to Captain William George Sipos (AFSN: FR-70808), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 6 April 1967 in Southeast Asia. A friendly long-range patrol operation on a classified mission requested a visual reconnaissance to assist them in determining the possible location and size of North Vietnamese Army units operating in the enemy controlled area. The terrain in which the friendly force was located was very remote, extremely mountainous with deep valleys, and covered with dense broadleaf, and deciduous forest. The enemy had extensive trails and fortifications throughout this area. Visibility from the air that day was very limited due to thick ground fog and haze. Having heard this request, Captain Sipos immediately and willingly volunteered to act as pilot for this mission, knowing well of the imminent dangers and hazards involved in flying over enemy controlled area. Because of the limited visibility and thick ground fog and haze, as well as thick foliage around the target area, it was necessary for the aircraft to fly at an unusually low tree-top altitude in an effort to make a better assessment of the enemy situation and to thoroughly reconnoiter the approaches to the friendly patrol. Because of the extremely low altitude at which the aircraft was flying, about 700 from meters from the patrol, it was impossible to observe what actually occurred or to determine if the aircraft received any enemy ground fire. The O-1E aircraft crashed into the dense forest, taking the lives of both the aerial observer and Captain Sipos. Captain Sipos' personal bravery, devotion to duty, and heroic actions in willingly facing the inherent dangers of a low level aerial recon were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force.
General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 38 (September 18, 1967), Amended by G.O. 52 (1967)
Action Date: April 6, 1967
Service: Air Force
Rank: Captain
Company: 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron
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1941 - 1967 (25 years)
