David E. Ford

By zthanson, 17 November, 2022
First Name
David
Middle Name
E.
Last Name
Ford
Birthdate
Hometown
Melrose, MA
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

David Ford enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on December 7, 1953, and was trained as an aircraft bomb navigation systems technician, serving at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, and at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. He was commissioned through OCS as a 2d Lt in the Air Force on June 22, 1962, and completed Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather AFB, California, in July 1963. Lieutenant Ford completed B-52 Stratofortress combat crew training ,then served as a B-52 navigator with the 441st Bomb Squadron at Mather AFB. During this time he flew combat missions in Southeast Asia. Captain Ford next completed Navigation Reconnaissance upgrade training and then RF-4C Phantom II combat crew training before being assigned to the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, where he flew combat missions out of Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on November 19, 1967.

Post Release Image
Older man in a military uniform and bow tie in front of American flags.
Post Release Description

He was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 14, 1973. Major Ford attended Air Command and Staff College , then completed F-4 Weapons Systems Officer training before serving with the 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Torrejon AB, Spain, then served as the Chief of the Operations Plans Division of the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, also at Torrejon AB. His next assignment was as a U.S. Air Force Readiness Inspector for the Air Force Inspection and Safety Center. After attending the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Colonel Ford served as Chief of the Air Force and Navy Section in the Liaison Office at Rabat, Morocco. His final assignment was as Director of Medical Plans and Readiness at the Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews AFB, Maryland, until his retirement from the Air Force on January 1, 1985. David Ford died on October 1, 2013, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (3)
  • Defense Superior Service Medal
  • Legion of Merit
  • Prisoner of War Medal


 

Passed away before release
Post Release