John Levitow’s story illustrates that heroism is measured by courage and action rather than position. Raised in humble surroundings, he might never have imagined that one extraordinary moment would define his place in military history.
Serving as an Airman First Class—a junior enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force—Levitow encountered a deadly emergency aboard his aircraft, where split-second decisions meant the difference between life and death. Without hesitation, he threw himself into harm’s way to shield his fellow crew members. His brave intervention saved countless lives and earned him the Medal of Honor, securing his legacy as one of America’s most celebrated airmen.
John Levitow’s enlistment in the US Air Force
John L. Levitow, who was born in Hartford, Connecticut, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in June 1966 after changing his mind at the last moment, having originally planned to serve in the Navy.
Although he initially trained in civil engineering, Levitow later became a loadmaster, the specialty that defined his military service. His duties included calculating and securing cargo loads, arranging passengers to ensure proper aircraft balance, and supervising key factors that contributed to flight safety and the successful execution of missions.
Incident in South Vietnam
On February 24, 1969, John Levitow was serving as loadmaster on a Douglas AC-47 gunship, call sign “Spooky 71,” assigned to the 3rd Special Operations Squadron. The aircraft was on a nighttime mission over South Vietnam, and Levitow’s duties included readying Mark 24 magnesium flares—setting their ejection and ignition timers before handing them to the gunner for release.
That night, Maj. Kenneth Carpenter, the pilot, spotted muzzle flashes near Long Binh Army Base and directed the crew to engage Viet Cong positions close to Tan Son Nhut Air Base. As Levitow and the gunner worked at the open cargo door deploying flares, a North Vietnamese mortar round struck the AC-47, instantly turning the mission into a desperate fight for survival for everyone aboard.
Extreme bravery in the face of mortal danger
The blast injured everyone on board the aircraft. John Levitow sustained a concussion and was struck by more than 40 pieces of shrapnel in his back and legs. In the chaos that followed, a burning flare fell from a gunner’s hand, creating the risk of igniting the aircraft’s ammunition and putting the entire crew in danger.
Although he was badly wounded and close to losing consciousness, Levitow forced himself to crawl toward the active flare. Shielding it with his body, he was able to hurl it through the cargo door moments before disaster could strike. The AC-47 survived despite suffering extensive damage, with more than 3,500 holes punched through its fuselage and wings. Thanks to Levitow’s extraordinary actions, the crew made it back to base safely.
Presented with the Medal of Honor for exceptional heroism
John Levitow was awarded the Medal of Honor for exceptional heroism during wartime, making him the lowest-ranking airman to receive the US military’s highest honor. It was presented to him by President Richard Nixon in May 1970.
Among his other decorations were the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters, and the National Defense Service Medal.
John Levitow’s legacy
John Levitow passed away from cancer in November 2000 at the age of 55 and was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
To commemorate his legacy, the U.S. Air Force established the John Levitow Award, the highest honor presented to graduates of the Air Force Enlisted Professional Military Education program. The award is reserved for those who finish in the top one percent of their class, recognizing exceptional leadership and achievement.
Levitow’s legacy continued to grow in the years following his service. In 1998, he was inducted into the Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame. Additionally, a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III was named The Spirit of John L. Levitow and initially assigned to the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. The aircraft was later reassigned to the 105th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard, continuing to carry his name and story across the skies.