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This world is full of heroes, but not every hero can tell you their story. Some are sworn
to secrecy, having to keep their most dangerous adventures hidden in the shadows of time.
One such hero is Colonel James A. Ruffer, a retired Air Force doctor with an interesting
tale to tell. Col Ruffer is different from most veterans in that he's served not only
in the Marine Corps, but in the Navy and the Air Force as well, with a total of twenty-six
years in the service under his belt.
((Ret) Col James A. Ruffer MD - Physician / Surgeon)
I left the Navy in 1985 to go into private practice, and after six months, called the
Air Force up and said can I come on board. I served at Edwards Air Force Base, Panama,
Dessert Storm, the invasion of Panama, Dessert Storm, and other places.
On December 20, 1989, First Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, popularly known
as Delta Force, carried out a covert mission to free Kurt Muse, an American civilian living
in Panama who, at the time, also worked as an undercover contact for the C-I-A. Muse
was being held hostage in the Carcel Modelo, the infamous prison in which the former Panamanian
Dictator General Manuel Noriega kept his deadly menagerie of Panama's most wanted. The rescue
plan, referred to as Operation Acid Gambit, took almost a year to prepare and execute,
but to gather the information necessary to carry out the plan, Delta Force needed a man
on the inside.
((Ret) Col James A. Ruffer MD - Physician / Surgeon)
I was called in to evaluate a hostage he was keeping, an American, and he was forced to
allow one doctor to visit that hostage in his prison in Panama, and that was me. I told
him I need to see him every other day, so for nine months I saw the prisoner. I worked
with United States Delta Force to help extract him. I gave them the information they needed.
Meanwhile I'm walking through blood and witnessing, or practically witnessing toture, the dissapearences
of prisoners, the murders, and hearing first hand information from those inside what's
going on. I helped Delta Force then plan that mission and during the invasion of Panama,
they did successfully rescue him. That took two-hundred and sixty-two days of my life.
Over a hundred and ten missions.
During his time in the Modelo prison, Colonel Ruffer befriended several of the other inmates,
who would communicate with him using various hand gestures and signs to convey the horrors
they witnessed on a day to day basis.
((Ret) Col James A. Ruffer MD - Physician / Surgeon)
So when I went in the prison, and I saw what was happening in there and walked through
blood, saw prisoners telling me that so many people were shot just the other day, that
officers were killed or hung. These things were daily occurences for me. Guns to my head.
It was a harrowing experience, thankful to know that when I went home my family and most
Americans would not be subject to that dictatorship.
After the successful rescue of Kurt Muse, Colonel Ruffer's involvement and the larger
mission were deemed classified, and remained so for nearly twenty-four years.
((Ret) Col James A. Ruffer MD - Physician / Surgeon)
I actually felt at the time that I would probably be awarded something, and it wasn't even mentioned
in my end of tour award. It was barely one line mentioned in my fitness report. So I
thought well that's the way it is. Then when the book came out in two-thousand and five
I went to the book signing. I got reconnected with my commander, and he said it was an oversight
on his part. And he put me in for the award then.
Fast-forward to Nellis Air Force Base, August 15th, 2013, when Colonel Ruffer's experiences
culminate in an award which would define his career. Although Colonel Ruffer is no stranger
to being in the spotlight, nothing could truly prepare him for this memorable day.
((Ret) Col James A. Ruffer MD - Physician / Surgeon)
I knew I was going to meet a two-star General, and his vice commander, a one-star, and a
bunch of wonderful people, but nothing could prepare me for what happened in that room
today.
*Narrator* By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication
to duty, Colonel Ruffer has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States
Air Force.
((Ret) Col James A. Ruffer MD - Physician / Surgeon)
Those were loving eyes. They were appreciative, gracious, they honored me and brought me to
near tears. It was one of the most emotional moments of my life to stand there and have
the Bronze Star for heroism pinned on me. I will never forget it.
In many ways, receiving the Bronze star with Valor marks the end of an era for Colonel
James Ruffer. Though his life is much more subdued these days, Colonel Ruffer admits
that he will always cherish the time he spent serving our great nation.
((Ret) Col James A. Ruffer MD - Physician / Surgeon)
My wife and I go home, we live alone. I'll take this uniform off, I'll have the memories,
of all my years of service from 1966, but I'll always miss the uniform and the service.
It'll be a little heartache every day of my life knowing that I can't come back here and
pin on that medal again and have that experience. It's once in a life time. It's over. It's
over.
Whether it's the Navy, the Marine Corps, or the Air Force, Colonel James Ruffer looks
back on his time in all three branches of service with great respect and admiration.
His heroic story, once hidden from the world, can now be shared and honored by future generations.
Senior Airman Aaron Hauser, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.