James W. Bruhn was born October 9, 1937, in Omaha, NE and raised in Holdrege, NE. He was the second child of Hans and Helen Bruhn, preceded by a sister. He graduated from Holdrege High School in 1955.
James entered the U.S. Army in 1956 and became a member of the Elite Special Forces – Green Beret and Physical Warfare. He trained at Fort Benning, GA and spent three years in Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan. After his tour ended in 1959, James joined the Army Reserves and came back to Omaha where he worked for Northern Natural Gas and General Motors Corporation.
By 1963, James re-enlisted in the Army Special Forces and was sent to Germany. James subsequently saw a posting for an opportunity as a helicopter pilot. He was accepted into helicopter flight school at Fort Rucker, AL. Upon completion, he was promoted to Warrant Officer I and deployed to Vietnam in September 1966.
While in Vietnam, he served with the 162nd AHC, flying multiple combat missions. WO1 James W. Bruhn was killed in action in the vicinity of Tay Ninh on November 15, 1966. Below is an excerpt from a letter about James’ heroics that day written by his commander, Gerald W. Kirklighter:
“Your son was unique. He was a soldier among soldiers and was not only deeply respected by his fellow ‘Vultures’ but was loved by us all; as only soldiers know the term.
“The particular day your son paid the supreme sacrifice, he was a pilot of an aircraft involved in a combat assault against the Viet Cong during Operation Attleboro. The landing zone was a large open field about 25 miles north of Tay Ninh. The air mission commander flew his aircraft low over the area and marked the landing site for the lead aircraft with smoke. He drew no fire from the well-hidden insurgents and announced that the landing zone appeared cold.
“Your son was the number four ship in a flight of five Vultures which entered the landing zone as the third of five aircraft. The number three aircraft was hit and partially disabled. As this aircraft attempted to leave the landing zone, the pilot announced he could not make it out and was forced to the land the aircraft in an area which was not secured by U.S. troops.
By 1963, James re-enlisted in the Army Special Forces and was sent to Germany. James subsequently saw a posting for an opportunity as a helicopter pilot. He was accepted into helicopter flight school at Fort Rucker, AL. Upon completion, he was promoted to Warrant Officer I and deployed to Vietnam in September 1966.
While in Vietnam, he served with the 162nd AHC, flying multiple combat missions. WO1 James W. Bruhn was killed in action in the vicinity of Tay Ninh on November 15, 1966. Below is an excerpt from a letter about James’ heroics that day written by his commander, Gerald W. Kirklighter:
“Your son was unique. He was a soldier among soldiers and was not only deeply respected by his fellow ‘Vultures’ but was loved by us all; as only soldiers know the term.
“The particular day your son paid the supreme sacrifice, he was a pilot of an aircraft involved in a combat assault against the Viet Cong during Operation Attleboro. The landing zone was a large open field about 25 miles north of Tay Ninh. The air mission commander flew his aircraft low over the area and marked the landing site for the lead aircraft with smoke. He drew no fire from the well-hidden insurgents and announced that the landing zone appeared cold.
“Your son was the number four ship in a flight of five Vultures which entered the landing zone as the third of five aircraft. The number three aircraft was hit and partially disabled. As this aircraft attempted to leave the landing zone, the pilot announced he could not make it out and was forced to the land the aircraft in an area which was not secured by U.S. troops.
"Jim, having landed his troops safely, announced that he was going to pick up the crew of the downed aircraft and proceeded to do so. As his aircraft approached the disabled ship, your son was subjected to intense ground fire. Although his ship was hit repeatedly, he continued to attempt the rescue until mortally wounded. I have never seen such bravery in any soldier. His death was instantaneous."
Posthumously, WO1 James W. Bruhn was awarded the Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross,Republic of Vietnam Military Merit Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Air Medal – first through eighth Oak Leaf Clusters. The Eighth Oak Leaf cluster was for heroism. Also, a commemorative plaque was dedicated at Holdrege High School, as James was the first local graduate to have died in Vietnam.
James had planned to marry his then-fiancée, Patricia M. Traynor. Although he was not able to follow through with his plan, James’ passion to help others in need lives through his son, me, David C. Traynor. It is with great honor that I live each day knowing that my father and others have laid down their lives so that we can live in peace and enjoy the liberties we have today.