Captain Schneidenbach deployed to Udorn as part of the second detachment of Water Pump, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas—both would operate as FACs in MR-II. Captain Schneidenbach also served as an additional duty officer for administration, supply, and paymaster in Detachment 6. He flew with the Lao T-28 pilots to conduct missions up on the PDJ. When not working airstrikes from the aircraft or flying with Air America H-34s, Captain Schneidenbach operated out of Phou Kout with a Laotian FAC. RLAF pilot, Captain Chai, accompanied him on L-19 flights. Some of these flights were also in support of the US Army artillery advisor assigned to Vang Pao’s units. 

The Water Pump IPs flew with their Lao counterparts to Vientiane in the morning, placing a Lao air force roundel in the removable logo slots on the side of the aircraft. (Vientiane was code named Victor.) At Wattay Airport, they were briefed on the mission for the day, then uploaded ordnance and flew on to support missions in MR-II. 

Captain Schneidenbach’s most notable mission occurred during the rescue of a downed F-100 pilot. That day he was flying with an Air Commando pilot in an H-34. He and a Laotian Commando extricated the downed pilot from a tree under very dangerous conditions; for this action, Captain Schneidenbach was awarded the Silver Star.

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR

THE VIETNAM WAR - SOUTHEAST ASIA - THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

CAPTAIN ROBERT SCHNEIDENBACH

Captain Robert T. Schneidenbach distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia on 21 November 1965.

On that date, Captain Schneidenbach volunteered to assist in the rescue of a pilot who was shot down by hostile ground fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Schneidenbach insisted that he be lowered to the downed man despite the high risk of ambush. 

Upon reaching the pilot, Captain Schneidenbach determined that he had suffered serious multiple injuries and probably would not survive if hoisted in the rescue sling. 

Ignoring the ever-increasing risk of ground fire, Captain Schneidenbach assisted in moving the injured man to a rescue helicopter waiting in a nearby clearing. 

By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Schneidenbach has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.