War Stories: Under fire, Cordero saved lives

On Jan. 30, 1968, United States Air Force Sgt. Joseph G. Cordero Jr. should have died.

On that winter night, hostile forces began a heavy rocket and bomb attack where Cordero was stationed, at Da Nang Air Base in Vietnam.

“I have never been more scared in my life,” Cordero said.

Cordero and a few other men were sitting outside the flight shack, when he saw three flashes of light in the distance. Before he had the chance to finish his next sentence he found himself running alongside other soldiers for cover in the trenches.

While hunkered down in the trenches, Cordero saw one of his F-4C aircraft get hit and sprang into action. He knew if the plane exploded or if another rocket hit it, his men were doomed.

But it wasn’t easy. He had to hit the ground nearly every 10 seconds to avoid rockets and sniper fire. His fellow troops were also scrambling through the field trying to put out fires from the attack.

Once Cordero reached the aircraft, he found a nearby truck and used a tow bar to hook it to the plane and drive it down the road, a safe distance away from the base and saved the lives of his fellow men in doing so.

Cordero was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his heroism in moving the plane. Serving from 1964-1972, he spent time in Italy, Korea and Spain. However, he said the one year he spent in Vietnam was the most intense because of the amount of attacks occurring. He said his base was attacked every night at all hours after the initial day of attacks.

As the Moving Wall prepares to make its way to Montrose, Cordero said everyone should appreciate it.

“It’s quite a tribute to all the men who served,” Cordero said. “I hope when people see it they are proud of everyone who serves in the military, including those are in Iraq right now. War is terrible, but we need to protect ourselves from enemies wherever they are.”