 On 11 January 1974 he took off from Edwin Andrews Air Force Base leading an element of two F-86 Sabres to support government troops that were under attack by a large number of armed rebels in Parang on Jolo Island, 200 miles away.During the engagement he made several low attack runs, exposing himself and his aircraft to heavy rifle fire.When he finally broke off after two bombing runs and five strafing passes, his fighter was severely damaged; his wingman, Lt. Roger Crudo, informed him that the aircraft was on fire.