An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

NEWS | June 30, 2022

AK State Office of Veterans Affairs to honor Army Guardsmen for 1955 rescue

By 1st Lt. Balinda O'Neal Office of Veterans Affairs

On June 22, 1955, two Russian MiG 15’s from Siberia shot down a U.S. Navy plane flying a routine maritime patrol over the Bering Sea. It crash-landed on an ice shelf prompting fourteen Guardsmen from the First Scout Battalion to mount a rescue mission saving everyone on board.

On July 9, 2022, more than 67 years later, the Alaska State Office of Veterans Affairs will present medals to one veteran and 14 family representatives of the Alaska Army National Guard’s First Scouts.

The 2:15 p.m. ceremony will take place at the high school gym in Gambell, a St. Lawrence Island village located south of the Bering Strait and approximately eight miles from where the Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune crashed.

“In 1955 each member received a Letter of Appreciation for their actions,” said Verdie Bowen, director of the Office of Veterans Affairs, who explained that at the time there were no medals in the U.S. or National Guard inventory that could be awarded for their heroism.

The Guardsmen, Siberian Yupik Eskimos, responded to the crash site in umiaks, open boats with wooden frames and covered by bearded seal or walrus hides.

The Alaska Heroism Medal citation states that the First Scouts mobilized and rescued the 11-member crew who received critical burns and gunshot and shrapnel wounds. The two MiG 15’s that shot down the Navy patrol plane, 40 miles off of Siberia and 200 miles west of Nome, remained overhead during the extraction. 

“The community reached out requesting commendation that more accurately recognized the valor of these brave men,” said Bowen, stating that part of the Office of Veterans Affairs mission is to help veterans obtain earned military awards.

“No matter how long it takes, we are dedicated to honoring those that served with valor,” said Bowen.  

During the Cold War, the 297th Infantry Scout Battalions operated from small villages in Northern and Western Alaska, constantly observing the Bering Sea coastline and often providing significant intelligence information.
### 

Details: 
What: Ceremony honoring First Scouts rescue crew
When:  Saturday, July 9, 2:15 p.m.
Where: John Apangalook Memorial High School gymnasium
Note:    Media interested in attending the ceremony should contact the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs public affairs office via email at mvapublicaffairs@alaska.gov or 907-428-6031. Please leave a voice message with name of news organization and reporter.
 
New state Tuition Reimbursement Program (TRP) expands education opportunities for servicemembers
March 24, 2025
na

LOD Cart supercharges tactical air mobility operations in the Pacific
March 19, 2025
LOD Cart supercharges tactical air mobility operations in the Pacific

Alaska Air National Guardsmen conduct hoist rescue at Hatcher Pass
March 13, 2025
Alaska Air National Guardsmen conduct hoist rescue at Hatcher Pass

AKARNG Black Hawk crew executes novel train touchdown, supports advanced MEDEVAC capabilities in SOFAM 25’
February 27, 2025
na

Alaska Army National Guard flight surgeon creates innovative casualty care system for the arctic warfighter
February 27, 2025
na

‘Cathedrals of the mind’
February 19, 2025
Alaska Army National Guard Lt. Col. Luke Bushatz, right, outgoing commander for the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, was rewarded the Meritorious Service Medal by Col. Michele Edwards, the commander of the 297th Regional Support Group, Oct. 20, 2024, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Bushatz was recognized for his commitment to improving his battalion’s readiness in the two years he served as commander

Rescue of 2 plane crash victims in Yukon Territory kicks off 176th Wing’s busy rescue week
February 7, 2025
na

AKARNG 297th RSG to deploy to Eastern Europe in support of NATO allies, expeditionary base operations
January 27, 2025
na

Aviation distress signal draws rapid, multi-agency response at Merrill Field Airport
January 16, 2025
Civil Air Patrol Cadet Capt. Rick Benedict, a fifteen-year-old assigned to the Birchwood Composite Squadron, uses a receiver to measure signal strength to locate a distress beacon during a three-day training event Nov. 4, 2023, at the Birchwood Airport in Chugiak, Alaska.

Alaska National Guard strengthens cooperation with Alaskan Command
January 6, 2025
Alaska National Guard strengthens cooperation with Alaskan Command