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April 15, 1972 this aircraft flew a significantly heroic and now famous mission under call sign "Spare 617." It was attempting to air drop ammunition to enemy surrounded South Vietnamese forces at An Loc. Near the drop zone, Spare 617 received heavy enemy ground fire that damaged two engines, ruptured a bleed air duct in the cargo compartment, and set the ammunition on fire. Flight engineer Sanders was killed, and navigator Lenz and co-pilot Hering were both wounded. Despite receiving severe burns from hot air escaping from the damaged air bleed duct, loadmaster Shaub extinguished a fire in the cargo compartment, and successfully jettisoned the cargo pallets, which exploded in mid-air. Despite almost losing a third engine on final approach, pilot Capt. Caldwell landed Spare 617 safely at home base at Tan Son Nhut after loadmasters were able to get the gear to extend using the cranking mechanism. For their actions, Caldwell and Shaub received the Air Force Cross, the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor. Shaub also received the William H. Pitsenbarger Award for Heroism from the Air Force Sergeants Association.