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First Name
Willis
Middle Name
E.
Last Name
Forby
Birthdate
Hometown
Onaka, SD
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Will Forby enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force on February 10, 1954, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings on May 16, 1955. His first assignment was as a supply officer with the 463rd Supply Squadron at Ardmore AFB, Oklahoma, followed by F-86 Sabre Combat Crew Training. Lieutenant Forby served as an F-86 pilot with the 534th Fighter-Day Squadron of the 83rd Fighter-Day Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, and then as an F-100 Super Sabre pilot with the 335th and then the 334th Fighter-Day Squadrons of the 4th Fighter-Day Wing at Seymour Johnson. His next assignment was as an F-100 pilot with the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Wethersfield, England. Captain Forby served as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB, and then deployed with the squadron to Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from August 1965 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on September 20, 1965.
Post Release Description
Colonel Forby was released during “Operation Homecoming” on February 12, 1973. He then attended Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from August 1973 to July 1974, followed by service on the staff of the Air War College from July 1974 to October 1976. Colonel Forby's final assignment was on the staff of Headquarters Military Airlift Command at Scott AFB, Illinois, from October 1976 until his retirement from the Air Force on January 1, 1985.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit (2)
- Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
- Bronze Star (2)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release