James Robinson “Robbie” Risner was a highly decorated American fighter pilot, renowned as a double recipient of the Air Force Cross and a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. From boyhood, he dreamed of flying, and the U.S. Air Force gave him the opportunity to turn that dream into reality. Throughout his distinguished career, Risner proved himself not only as a masterful pilot but also as a man of uncommon courage and integrity—one who consistently placed his fellow airmen’s safety and morale above his own.
James Risner’s early life
Born on January 16, 1925, to a poor Arkansas family, James Risner struggled throughout his childhood, working from an early age to contribute to his household. He soon moved with his family to Oklahoma, and, by the time he was in high school, he had already held a string of jobs, working in newspaper delivery, as an errand boy, an assistant in a drugstore and as a welder – the youngster even helped polish cars for his father’s used-vehicle business.
In his youth, Risner was fascinated by two things: horses and motorcycles. Both would play important roles later in his life. He was also a man of faith, with his family members of the 1st Assembly of God Church.
Enlistment in the US Air Force
James Risner enlisted in the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) in 1943 and finishing his training the following year with the rank of second lieutenant. After flight school, he was transferred to Panama as part of the 30th Fighter Squadron.
In 1946, while pursuing his passion for motorcycles, Risner had an off-duty accident, which landed him in a military hospital. It was there he met Kathleen Shaw, a nurse who took care of him. The two were discharged and got married soon after. In civilian life, Risner didn’t have much luck in keeping a job. He joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard, piloting a North American P-51 Mustang to keep himself in flying shape.
On one occasion, Risner became caught in a hurricane. He was forced to land and only later realized he was in Mexican territory. He had a brief encounter with bandits, which ended well for him, and managed to return to the United States. While he earned himself an unofficial rebuke from the American Embassy for flying an armed fighter into a foreign country’s sovereign territory, the flight was officially ignored, for diplomatic reasons.
Recalled to active duty at the start of the Korean War
When the Korean War broke out, James Risner was happy to rejoin the US Air Force. He got recalled to active duty in February 1951, attached to the 185th Tactical Fighter Squadron and subsequently trained to fly the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star, the first operational jet fighter developed by the United States. While designed for use in World War II, it was actively flown over Korea.
On his last day before being deployed overseas, Risner fell off a horse and broke his arm – once again, fate had interfered with his passion. However, he didn’t let the injury stop him from seeing action. He concealed it and convinced a surgeon it had healed – an ingenious tactic that allowed him to fly his first combat mission.
Participating in his first missions in Korea
On May 10, 1952, James Risner was assigned to Kimpo Air Base with the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron. That June, the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was looking for experienced pilots and Risner found an opportunity to finally fly a fighter and participate in combat. He became known for his North American F-86E Sabre, which featured Bugs Bunny as its nose art. The aircraft was nicknamed Ohio Mike, and Risner flew his most successful missions in it.
At first, Risner saw no combat and took a three-day leave to Japan. Upon his return to Korea, he jumped into an aircraft, as there were reports of MiG activity in the area. Four F-86s were under attack by 14 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15s. He flew to their aid and managed to down one enemy aircraft.
This was his first aerial victory.
James Risner becomes ‘John Red Lead’
On September 15, 1952, James Risner—flying under the call sign “John Red Lead”—led a daring escort mission of Republic F-84 Thunderjets targeting a chemical complex along the Yalu River, near the East China Sea.
As his formation crossed into enemy territory, Risner spotted a MiG and gave chase, diving into a furious pursuit that pushed both aircraft to near-supersonic speeds. He followed the enemy pilot low over a dry riverbed and across rugged hills, weaving through bursts of anti-aircraft fire that erupted from nearby positions. The chase carried him more than 35 miles into Chinese airspace—well beyond the safety of friendly lines.
Running low on ammunition and fuel, Risner held his nerve. Waiting for the perfect shot, he unleashed his final bursts of .50-caliber fire, tearing into the MiG and sending flames trailing from its fuselage. The canopy ripped away as the stricken jet plummeted between two hangars, exploding on impact and setting other aircraft ablaze.
Witnesses later recalled a defiant final moment—when the enemy pilot, believed to be a Russian advisor, shook his fist toward Risner just before his burning aircraft struck the ground.
James Risner continues his heroics in Korea
On their way back to base following his action, James Risner and his fellow airmen were flying above open water. Anti-aircraft fire hit 1st. Lt. Joseph Logan’s aircraft, and Risner attempted to get them back to base by pushing the nose his own aircraft into the tailpipe of Logan’s, while his jet was floating in the air with its engine turned off.
The plan was to push Logan close to the island of Ch’o Do, where the US Army kept a helicopter outpost. However, Risner’s vision over the scene was heavily obscured by jet fuel and hydraulic fluid spewing out of Logan’s aircraft, forcing him to break contact.
Logan had to bail out. Just before he did, he radioed to Risner, “I’ll see you at the base tonight.”
While he managed to eject fairly close to the shore of Ch’o Do and was a solid swimmer, Logan became entangled in his parachute and drowned. Risner shut down his own engine in an attempt to save fuel, but his engine flamed out and he glided to a dead-stick landing at Kimpo Air Base.
Soon after this operation, Risner became a fighter ace, downing his fifth MiG. By the end of his service in Korea, he’d flown 108 combat missions and shot down eight enemy aircraft.
Captured in Vietnam
After Korea, James Risner headed to Vietnam, where he established himself as one of the leading pilots in the US Air Force by downing even more enemy aircraft.
Unfortunately, on one mission, his Republic F-105 Thunderchief was shot down. He was held prisoner in Hanoi for seven years and four months, during which time he was viewed as his captors’ “prized prisoner,” due to a Time article that highlighted his heroics. This, paired with his rank, meant he was subjected to harsher treatment than others.
Not only did Risner survive the experience, he also helped others survive it, too. Among the men captured in Hanoi were Capt. James Stockdale, who later became a vice admiral in the US Navy. Another prisoner of war (POW), Cmdr. Everett Alvarez, Jr., later noted, “We were lucky to have Risner. With (Captain James) Stockdale we had wisdom. With Risner we had spirituality.”
Risner was promoted to colonel after his capture, and he was part of the first group of prisoners released on February 12, 1973, as part of Operation Homecoming.
James Risner returns to the United States
In July 1973, the US Air Force assigned James Risner to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, where he learned to fly the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in combat. He was later transferred to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, to command the 832d Air Division, which flew the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark.
Risner was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in May 1974. The following year, he became vice commander of the Tactical Fighter Weapons Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, before becoming commander of the Red Flag combat training program. He retired in August 1976.
More from us: William Goines: The First African-American US Navy SEAL Served Three Tours in Vietnam
Upon Risner’s death in October 2013, Gen. Mark A Welsh III stated, “Brig. Gen. James Robinson ‘Robbie’ Risner was part of that legendary group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave us an enduring example of courage and mission success… Today’s Airmen know we stand on the shoulders of giants. One of ‘em is 9 feet tall… and headed west in full afterburner.”