Michael Joseph Bosiljevac was an Omaha native, born October 9, 1945 to Michael and Helen Bosiljevac. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul grade school and Creighton Prep High School where he excelled at academics, basketball and track. Mike applied and was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and graduated in 1967. After graduation he married his love, Mary Kathleen Veys in 1968. He attended post graduate school and earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota and attended Undergraduate Navigator Training in Mather AFB, California where his daughter, Susan, was born in 1970. Mike completed Electronic Warfare Officer training in July 1971 and was assigned the F-105G. Another child arrived in 1972 and they named him Michael. Mike was assigned to the 17thWild Weasel Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force and deployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand to fly Surface to Air missile suppression support over North Vietnam.
LtCol James W. O'Neil was the pilot and Capt. Michael J. Bosiljevac the EWO (Electronic Warfare Officer) of an F105G jet fighter which was shot down by a Soviet SAM (Surface to Air Missile) on September 29, 1972. Both Bosiljevac and O'Neil ejected successfully, and landed 23 miles southwest of Hanoi. Radio Hanoi/Moscow/Cuba reported the capture of both "pilots" alive (FIBIS) on 29 September 1972. O'Neil was subsequently transferred to Hoa Lo (the "Hanoi Hilton") and repatriated March 29, 1973. Upon his release, O'Neil stated that he had observed Bosiljevac in the parachute, and that Bosiljevac had manually cut the parachute risers for control and deployed his survival kit for landing. On about the fifth day of his confinement, O'Neil asked an English-speaking guard about Bosiljevac. The turnkey later returned and said, "He is alive, well, uninjured, and luckier than you." Repeated USG, as well as family inquiries met with little response from the DRV/SRV. In fact, the Socialists Republic of Vietnam (SRV) wrote to the family of Mike Bosiljevac and claimed to have "no knowledge of Mr. Michael Joseph Bosiljevac," and further stated that "they no longer hold prisoners within Vietnam."
Yet, on September 21, 1987, the government of Vietnam provided Bosiljevac's name and his remains were returned to USG control on September 24, 1987. The 1 Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii (CILHI) released the remains for a second opinion in January of 1988, and final identification occurred in January 1988. Bosiljevac's remains were returned to Omaha, Nebraska for burial on February 10, 1988. On August 1, 1989, Mike Bosiljevac's records were corrected to reflect that he Died in Captivity as a POW. While this correction does not define the total duration of his captivity, it stands as a matter of record. Additionally, his remains were returned with irrefutable evidence of an autopsy performed in violation of the Geneva Conventions. Michael J. Bosiljevac was promoted to the rank of Major as a posthumous Award.
Highest Awards:
2 Silver Stars, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses
(1st) Silver Star AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Vietnam War Service: Air Force Battalion: 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron Division: 7th Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS: CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force, in Southeast Asia, on 11 May 1972. On that date, as Electronic Warfare Officer in the lead F-105 Thunderchief in a flight of four F-105s, Captain Bosiljevac directed repeated attacks against hostile surface-to-air missile batteries threatening a large strike force, prompting the firing of ten missiles toward himself and away from the strike force. While providing accurate threat warning to his flight and the strike force, he directed the expenditure of retaliatory missiles, initiated active electronic countermeasures, and assisted his pilot by maintaining visual contact with the rest of the flight as it successfully disengaged from an attack of hostile interceptors. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Bosiljevac has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
(2nd-date of shootdown) Silver Star AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Vietnam War Service: Air Force Battalion: 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron Division: 7th Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS: CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105G Electronic Warfare Officer with the 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force, near Phuc Yen Airfield, North Vietnam, on 29 September 1972. On that date, while supporting air strikes against enemy storage areas, Captain Bosiljevac repeatedly exposed himself to enemy anti-aircraft defenses in order to draw fire away from nearby American Forces. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Bosiljevac continued to engage a surface-to-air missile site despite indications of a missile accurately tracking his aircraft. This courageous and aggressive attack enabled the strike forces to penetrate the target area defenses, successfully complete their mission, and safely withdraw. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Bosiljevac has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
3 Distinguished Flying Crosses
(1 of 3) Distinguished Flying Cross AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Vietnam War Service: Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS: CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105G Electronic Warfare Officer over Southeast Asia on 6 March 1972. On that date, Captain Bosiljevac, disregarding both heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire and the dangers presented by nearby hostile airborne interceptors, inflicted heavy damage upon a ground controlled airborne intercept radar site. His aggressiveness and timely reactions silenced the site as it vectored a hostile interceptor to within ten miles of his aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bosiljevac reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
(2 of 3) Distinguished Flying Cross AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Vietnam War Service: Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS: CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" to Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105G Electronic Warfare Officer near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 27 June 1972. On that date, Captain Bosiljevac succeeded in neutralizing a formidable array of hostile anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles, and MiG interceptor threats in support of a large strike force attacking a strategic target. Despite great risk to his own aircraft, Captain Bosiljevac continued to engage all opposing aerial defenses in the target area until the strike force completed its mission and all aircraft had safely departed. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bosiljevac reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
(3 of 3) Distinguished Flying Cross AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Vietnam War Service: Air Force
GENERAL ORDERS: CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105G Electronic Warfare Officer over Southeast Asia on 15 September 1972. On that date, while escorting a fighter-bomber force en route to targets near Kep, North Vietnam, Captain Bosiljevac successfully attacked and destroyed several enemy surface-to-air missile sites which opposed the strike aircraft. His aggressive and courageous attacks, made in the face of a formidable array of anti-aircraft missiles, artillery and interceptor defenses, enabled the American forces to reach their targets, successfully complete their mission and safely withdraw. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bosiljevac reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Information provided by: LtCol (Ret) Michael John Bosiljevac, son
One Response
Dottie Barickman
Thank you for your service! You and you amazing journey will always be remembered by Nebraska families! You did make a difference in protecting our freedom!
Thank you for your service! You and you amazing journey will always be remembered by Nebraska families! You did make a difference in protecting our freedom!