John van EttenOn April 2, 1972, a U.S. Air Force jet, call sign “Bat 21,” was shot down by a North Vietnamese surface-to-air missile behind enemy lines.  The lone surviving crew member, the navigator, ejected at 31,000 feet and was the subject of the largest and one of the most difficult rescue operations in Air Force history.  A 1988 movie starring Gene Hackman and Danny Glover told parts of the secret rescue mission.  John van Etten of Horton Bay didn’t need to see the movie.  He was one of the rescue pilots portrayed in the film and has written his own book about the experience.  He will provide his eyewitness account of the harrowing and costly rescue.

This program will be held via Zoom.  Attendance is free, however pre-registration is required at https://www.ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-4628579/Registration.