Fredric R. Flom

By zthanson, 17 November, 2022
First Name
Fredric
Middle Name
R.
Last Name
Flom
Birthdate
Hometown
Menasha, WI
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

Fred Flom was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force on June 9, 1963, and went on active duty beginning November 11, 1963. Lieutenant Flom next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Williams AFB, Arizona, in December 1964, followed by F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew Training from January to September 1965. His first assignment was as an F-105 pilot and instructor pilot with the 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron and on the staff of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing at McConnell AFB, Kansas, from September 1965 to March 1966, and then as an F-105 pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from March 1966 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on August 8, 1966.

Post Release Image
Older gentleman smiling in front of brick wall and bookshelf of photographs.
Post Release Description

Captain Flom was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 4, 1973. He attended Jet Recurrency Training with the 560th Flying Training Wing at Randolph AFB, Texas, from December 1973 to February 1974. Captain Flom left active duty on February 28, 1974, and joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard on March 1, 1974, serving as an F-102 Delta Dagger pilot with the 176th Fighter Interceptor Squadron from March 1 to October 18, 1974, when he transferred to the 457th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Air Force Reserve at Carswell AFB, Texas. Colonel Flom served as an F-105 and F-4 Phantom II pilot and then as Operations Officer with the 457th before serving as Commander of the unit. His final assignment was Deputy Commander for Operations of the 301st Tactical Fighter Wing at Carswell from July 1987 until his retirement from the Air Force Reserve in December 1989. During the Vietnam War, Colonel Flom flew 82 combat missions before being shot down. Fred Flom died on June 23, 2021.
 

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (2)
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Bronze Star
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release