The Heroism of Captain Lance P. Sijan | Janine Sijan Rozina

The AirPower Hour

This week's special holiday episode of The AirPower Hour features Ms. Janine Sijan, sister to Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Lance P. Sijan.

During a bombing mission malfunction over Laos in November 1967, Sijan violently ejected from his F-4C aircraft and suffered a fractured skull, compound fracture of his left leg, and a mangled right hand. Despite those injuries and being without food and water, Sijan managed to evade enemy forces for 45 days, before finally being captured by the Viet Cong on Christmas Day.

During the interview with The AirPower Hour's host Tech. Sgt Lee Ciokiewicz, Janine shares the powerful and heartbreaking story of her brother's legacy. She describes in detail those agonizing 45 days her brother spent fighting for his life, his time as a prisoner of war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, and his eventual death in the arms of his fellow POWs.

Janine discussed getting Lance's class ring back from the jungles of Laos years after he passed away, courtesy of President Reagan. The scratched and dented ring, which she wore during the interview, is now a talisman she cherishes.

Janine said it is her life's mission to share Lance's story with the world. She explains how she has been working for years to create a documentary that honors her brother and his heroic story. She also emphasized how important their hometown of Milwaukee has been to help her efforts, Janine had a plaza built to memorialize her brother at the General Mitchell Airport, and the Team Sijan community offers her unwavering support.

Finally, she explains how her brother's Christmas day capture has shaped what the holiday means to her. She movingly implores listeners to reflect on who they are, what their purpose is in this world, and urges them to consider what they have in common with her brother's "modern day parable."

Learn more at Airforce.com or SpaceForce.com