On March 16, 1961, Captain Gary L. Herod of the 182nd Fighter Inspector Squadron, Texas Air National Guard had just taken off from Ellington Field. While flying alone in his jet aircraft over the City of Houston, he experienced complete engine failure.

Captain Herod patiently realized that if he ejected himself from the aircraft to save his own life, the jet aircraft would, in all probability, crash into the homes below with catastrophic loss of life and property. Captain Herod remained with his aircraft to guide it through an overcast sky to crash beyond densely populated Houston. In doing so, he heroically sacrificed his life.

Captain Herod’s actions were in entire disregard of his person, and in the finest traditions of the Texas Air National Guard and the United States Air Force he so gallantly represented.