Video: Pardo’s Push — McDonnell F4 Phantom

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Key Takeaways:

  • Pardo's push in 1967 successfully saved the lives of pilot Earl Aman and WSO Bob Houghton, an act for which Bob Pardo and Steve Wayne later received the Silver Star after decades of delay.
  • This heroic act was preceded by a similar event in 1952 where Robbie Risner pushed Joe Logan, but Logan ultimately drowned, leading to discouragement of such mid-air assistance despite Risner being deemed a hero.
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“Pardo’s push” of March 10, 1967 was preceded by a similar event. In 1952, fighter ace Robbie Risner pushed fellow flyer Joe Logan 60 miles. The two men were flying F-86 Sabre jets and successfully cleared hostile territory, but Logan bailed out over water, was tangled in his canopy lines, and drowned. Risner was deemed a hero, but by Pardo’s account, pilots were not encouraged to partake in similar activities.

Pardo’s push may have saved the lives of pilot Earl Aman and his weapons system officer, Bob Houghton. But it would be decades before their efforts were recognized by the Air Force. Bob Pardo and Steve Wayne eventually earned the Silver Star for the act.

Pardo was later quoted saying that they’d gotten Earl and Bob back, and that’s all they wanted.

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