When Push Comes to Shove

Pushing can be seen as a bad thing. Don't push me. Stop pushing. Don't be "pushy." Sometimes though, pushes are necessary.

If you are a college football fan, you may have heard of the "Bush Push." During the 2005 Top 10 matchup between the #1 USC Trojans and #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, USC RB Reggie Bush literally “pushed” QB Matt Leinart into the end zone for the game-winning TD. Whether you believe it was fair or not, Bush saw a friend in need and “pushed” him...and his team to success.

The "Pardo Push" is another famous push and this one is much more important than the one involving football. If you are an enthusiast of Air Force history, you may have heard it.

I first learned of Pardo’s Push when I was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, with the 4th?Air Support Operations Group. We had a framed print of the famous push (epic print) hanging in the command section. I’ve been fascinated by the story ever since.

It was March of 1967 during a combat mission to destroy a steel mill 30 miles north of Hanoi. Capt Bob Pardo was leading a 2-ship of F-4 Phantoms (love that jet!) initially tasked to defend US aircraft against possible MIG fighters. The MIGs were a no-show so Pardo and his Weapon System Officer (WSO), Lt Wayne, along with their wingmen in the other Phantom, joined in on the attack. The other Phantom was being flown by Capt Aman. His WSO was Lt Houghton.

Both Phantoms were taking intense fire. Aman’s aircraft was hit especially hard and started losing altitude and fuel. Pardo immediately took charge and went into problem-solving mode. How could he help his wingmen NOT have to bail out over enemy territory? He immediately directed they both climb to 30,000 feet.

Pardo’s jet had also taken fire but was more stable than Aman’s. Aman’s jet continued to lose fuel and was dropping 3,000 feet per minute. Pardo told Aman not to eject. He tried a couple of things…with no success. He refused to throw in the towel. He told Aman “drop your tailhook!".

Pardo positioned his Phantom so Aman’s tailhook rested on the steel edge of his own canopy frame so he could literally “push” them into Laos before they had to eject…selflessly ignoring that the heavy steel hook could smash through his canopy and cause certain peril for him and Wayne.

The push worked! Aman’s rapid descent was cut in half, to 1500 feet per minute, allowing the precious time needed to get them out of enemy territory and ultimately bail out and be rescued.

While he was initially reprimanded by the Air Force (no good deed goes unpunished)…he was eventually awarded the Silver Star for his gallantry in combat (1989).

Pardo credited his actions to his upbringing, and in particular, his dad’s example and lesson to always do everything possible to help a friend in need.

Push those in need. Your push may get them out of danger and back to safety…or into the end zone.

As we go through life’s daily struggles, there’s always someone in need of a push...big or small. Give it to them. Push them with your words. Push them with your actions. Push them with professional referrals if needed. Push them with your follow up actions. It will make a difference and could save a life.

As a leader, your folks need encouragement. They may be struggling to get those last few yards on an important project. Give them a push into the end zone. A few kind, encouraging words to push them towards success. As we know, success breeds more success and also builds confidence.

Finally, Pardo reinforced another tried and true concept--don't give up. When “pushing” someone and the first couple of pushes don’t work, keep at it. Push until success is achieved—people are worth it!