Retired Air Force Col. Eugene Deatrick, left, who rescued Navy Lt. Dieter Dengler, a POW during the Vietnam War, chats with Steve Zahn, who plays Air Force 1st Lt. Duane Martin in “Rescue Dawn,” a new movie about Dengler’s capture and escape. Deatrick and Zahn met during a June 18, 2007, premiere at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bobby Jones)

Air Force Staff Sgt. Quentin Floyd from the 316th Security Forces Squadron Visitor Control Center presents actor Steve Zahn with a squadron T-Shirt to commemorate Zahn’s visit to Andrews Air Force Base, Md. June 18, 2007. Zahn came to Andrews for a free prescreening of the new movie, “Rescue Dawn.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Bobby Jones)

Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert L. Smollen, Air Force District of Washington commander, presents retired Col. Eugene P. Deatrick with his personal coin for his service in the Air Force. Deatrick was an Air Force pilot during the Vietnam conflict. While on assignment in Laos in 1966, Deatrick and his wing man discovered a SOS distress signal from downed Navy pilot, Dieter Dingler, and called for a rescue helicopter to pick him up. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bobby Jones)