44 years ago today; B-52 gunner shoots down MiG-21

[boracayjohnny]

https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/18-december-1972/

18 December 1972: On the first night of Operation Linebacker II, Staff Sergeant Samuel O. Turner, U.S. Air Force, the gunner aboard Boeing B-52D-35-BW Stratofortress 56-676 (call sign “Brown 3”), saw a supersonic MiG-21 interceptor approaching the bomber from below and behind with a second following at a distance.

As the Mach 2 fighter made a firing pass, Turner directed the four AN/M3 .50-caliber machine guns of the bomber’s tail turret at the enemy fighter and opened fire. In a single 6-second burst, he expended approximately 700 rounds of ammunition. He saw “a gigantic explosion to the rear of the aircraft.”

SSGT Turner is the first B-52 gunner to be officially credited with shooting down an enemy fighter and he was awarded the Silver Star.

The citation reads, in part, “By his courage in the face of hazardous combat conditions and outstanding professional skill, he successfully defended his aircraft and its crew and enabled it to complete its mission and return safely to base. . . .”

[Shrike6]

I didn't know that anyone ever shot down an attacking aircraft with the tail guns.

[OddBall]

Amazing how old those planes are.

[boracayjohnny]

Originally Posted by OddBall

Amazing how old those planes are.

I know right?! I believe design was started in the late 40s. Off to Google.

*Successful contract bid in June, 1946 with maiden flight in April, 1952. Wow.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing...Stratofortress

[Shrike6]

Old as I am...

[SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84]

But younger than me.

[ASTROCREEP]

Which B-52 did the shooting?

The B-52's - "Roam" (Official Music Video) - YouTube

[Lakota]

Found a link pictures of the rear of the mentioned B-52 and interior tail gunner area.
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/samuel-o-turner/

That said I'm at a loss to see why a Silver Star was awarded? The gunner did his job and did it well. He just did his basis job description .

[Dan Dlabay]

Originally Posted by Lakota

Found a link pictures of the rear of the mentioned B-52 and interior tail gunner area.
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/samuel-o-turner/

That said I'm at a loss to see why a Silver Star was awarded? The gunner did his job and did it well. He just did his basis job description .

He may gotten the medal because by doing his job and doing it well he saved the plane and the rest of the crew being killed or captures if they were able to bail out.

[CORVETTE]

Were they inverted with the MiG?

[boracayjohnny]

Originally Posted by Lakota

Found a link pictures of the rear of the mentioned B-52 and interior tail gunner area.
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/samuel-o-turner/

That said I'm at a loss to see why a Silver Star was awarded? The gunner did his job and did it well. He just did his basis job description .

There are many reasons for medals. Just a coupla/three quick ones include politics of those surrounding the member including his command folks, the "first" this or that, Officer Evals which means "My troop did this and I'm his boss so he makes me look good, and last but not least actual, real great actions.