Memorials › LTC Ramon Anton “Ray” Horinek

LTC Ramon Anton “Ray” Horinek

9 Dec 1932 – 17 Jun 2020

Birth9 Dec 1932
Death17 Jun 2020
CemeteryHoly Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum
San Antonio , Bexar County , Texas , USA
Added byCharles A. Lewis on 11 Sep 2020
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/215465774

Bio

Ramon Anton Horinek was born in Topeka, KS, and raised on a farm in Atwood, KS. As a young boy, his love for flying began at an early age. He attended Hays Military Academy before enlisting in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force in August 1953. Following the completion of flight training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with the rating of Pilot in February 1955. From 16 to 19 February 1966, then-Captain Ramon Anton Horinek was serving as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-1 Bird Dog Airplane of the 1st Air Commando Wing, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, Pacific Air Force, during the Vietnam War. During those dates, Capt Horinek successfully directed air strikes that allowed the safe withdrawal of friendly forces and destruction of an evacuated site despite repeated machine gun hits on his light plane. While providing support for an attack against a second site, Capt Horinek's aircraft was again struck by hostile fire. Realizing the importance of his presence, Capt Horinek landed on the site airstrip although he knew that the approaches were dominated by the enemy. On foot, and under constant fire, Capt Horinek directed strikes that dislodged the enemy and permitted resumption of aircraft evacuation from the strip. Throughout the period, alternately in the air and on the ground, Capt Horinek continued to direct strikes while repeatedly exposed to fierce hostile fire, until the site was successfully evacuated. Captain Horinek's bravery and professionalism allowed the safe withdrawal of many friendly troops and prevented the recovery of quantities of munitions and supplies by the enemy. Capt Horinek’s extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces that day earned him the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor, the Air Force Cross. On 25 October 1967, Capt Horinek was serving as Pilot of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Pacific Air Force. On that date, while flying an F-105 Thunderchief, Capt Horinek was assigned to strike a high priority military target in North Vietnam. Capt Horinek's bravery and determination toward mission accomplishment were in the face of some of the most formidable defenses ever encountered in aerial combat. After sustaining a devastating direct hit on his F-105 he continued his dive bombing run and placed his ordnance on the target, damaging or destroying 2 hostile MiG aircraft. Capt Horinek's courage and devotion to duty that day earned him the U.S. Air Force's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal. After Capt Horinek was forced to eject from his F-105 Thunderchief, he was quickly captured as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Capt Horinek's conduct as a POW during the period 25 to 31 October 1967, was exemplary as the enemy ignored international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war by resorting to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Capt Horinek resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner that reflected his devotion to duty and earned him a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal. Horinek spent 1,967 days in captivity and was released on 14 March 1973 during Operation Homecoming. After a brief hospitalization to recover from his injuries at Sheppard AFB, TX, Now-Major Horinek attended pilot re-qualification training at Randolph AFB, TX. He then returned to flying status and served out his Air Force career. On 10 February 1983, he retired at Randolph AFB with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Medals, Awards and Badges Air Force Cross Silver Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal with Silver and Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Air Force Commendation Medal Presidential Unit Citation with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Prisoner of War Medal Army Air Force Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Silver and 1 Bronze Star Air Force Longevity Service Award with Silver and Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Command Pilot Badge Air Force Cross Citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel [the Captain] Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-1 Airplane of the 1st Air Commando Wing, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Force, in action with friendly forces in Southeast Asia, from 16 February 1966 to 19 February 1966. Captain Horinek successfully directed air strikes which permitted the safe withdrawal of friendly forces and destruction of an evacuated site despite repeated machine gun hits on his light aircraft. While providing support for an attack against a second site his aircraft was again struck by hostile fire. Realizing the importance of his presence, he landed on the site airstrip, knowing that the approaches were dominated by the enemy. On foot, and under constant fire, he directed strikes which dislodged the enemy and permitted resumption of aircraft evacuation from the strip. Throughout the period, alternately in the air, and on the ground, he continued to direct strikes while repeatedly exposed to fierce hostile fire, until the site was successfully evacuated. Captain Horinek's gallantry and professionalism permitted the safe withdrawal of many friendly troops and prevented the recovery of quantities of munitions and supplies by the enemy. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Horinek has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Silver Star Medal Citation (1st of 2 Awards) The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action over North Vietnam, on 25 October 1967. On that date, flying an F-105 Thunderchief, Captain Horinek was assigned to strike a high priority military target. Captain Horinek displayed exceptional courage, fortitude and determination toward mission accomplishment in the face of some of the most formidable defenses ever encountered in aerial combat. After sustaining a devastating direct hit he continued his dive bombing run and placed his ordnance on the target, damaging or destroying two hostile MiG aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Horinek has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Silver Star Medal Citation (2nd of 2 Awards) The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644) for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 25 to 31 October 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Horinek resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Honors Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Anton Horinek has Honoree Record 320084, with military biography, at MilitaryHallofHonor.com. Family Ray is survived by his wife of 29 years, Tam Horinek; brother, Tony Horinek and wife, Shari; his children: Loretta Brewster, Teresa Von Gausig (spouse, John), Michael Horinek (spouse, Suzanne), Ramona Horinek, and Kathryn Martin; his step-children: Thao Adams (spouse, Joe)and Kathy Morrison; daughter in-law: Kelly Horinek; and his many grandchildren: Jared and Sophia Jimenez; Anthony Gonzales; Christopher, Matthew, and Emily Adams; Ashley Turner, Megan Livengood, Douglas and Drake Von Gausig; Nichole Paul; and great-grandchildren: Arbor, Autumn and Aubrey Turner, Keyan Livengood; Severin, Amethyst, Adler, Sofia and Maven Von Gausig. Now joins his parents: Anton and Henrietta Horinek; brother, Leroy and Larue Horinek; son: Richard Horinek; step-daughter: Yen Morrison. Funeral Service & Burial Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, at the Schertz Funeral Home from 4:00pm to 8:00pm with a rosary to be recited at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be conducted on Thursday, June 25, 2020, 11:30am at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Schertz, TX, interment will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

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