Date of Birth: 13 April 1942; Home Town: Milwaukee, WI
Captain Lance P. Sijan was reported missing on 9 November 1967 while on a FAC control strike mission in Southeast Asia. He was copiloting an F-4C aircraft that was the lead of two. On the second pass over the target, his aircraft was struck by hostile fire, burst into flames, began to climb, then rapidly descended and crashed. No parachutes were seen and no beepers heard, however voice contact was established with him on the ground. He dragged himself backwards on his elbows and buttocks for 45 days through the jungle, evading capture. He was decimated after a month and a half without food when he was finally captured. Still, in his weakened condition he cold cocked a guard and escaped. He was recaptured a few hours later. Eventually joined with other POWs (Gruters and Craner); Sijan, emaciated and near death, still resisted. Despite being abused, he gave no information except his name. He asked for no assistance and thought only of escape. Lance Sijan, resisting to the end, died in a Hanoi prison on 22 January 1968. He was carried as missing until 23 April 1974 when Gruters and Craner were returned home. On March 4, 1976 President Ford awarded him the Medal of Honor posthumously.
—USAFA AOG War Memorial
