John Fer

By zthanson, 17 November, 2022
First Name
John
Last Name
Fer
Birthdate
Hometown
Long Beach, CA
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

John Fer was commissioned through the U.S. Air Force Academy on June 6, 1962, and completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laredo AFB, Texas, on August 6, 1963. After completing additional training, Lieutenant Fer was assigned to the 4365th Post Attack Command Control Squadron at Plattsburgh AFB, New York, from October 1963 to October 1964, when he was assigned to the 530th Bomb Squadron, also at Plattsburg, where he served until July 1966. Captain Fer began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia as an EB-66C Destroyer pilot with the 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, in July 1966, and he was forced to eject over North Vietnam while flying his 55th combat mission on February 4, 1967. He was immediately captured and taken as a Prisoner of War.

Post Release Image
Older man in a military uniform.
Post Release Description

Captain Fer was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 4, 1973. After completing refresher flight training, Fer was assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, from November 1975 to April 1976. He served as an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy from April 1976 to July 1979, and then served at Headquarters USAF in the Pentagon from July 1979 to June 1984. Colonel Fer then became the Director of Operational Services for 9th Air Force at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, where he served from June 1984 to August 1987. He served as the Deputy Commander for the 486th Tactical Missile Wing at Woensdrecht AB, The Netherlands, from August 1987 to May 1988. His final assignment was at Rhein Main AB, West Germany, where he served from May 1988 until his retirement from the Air Force on June 30, 1990. Colonel Fer is a Command Pilot and accumulated 1,296 flying hours during his Air Force career flying the B-47 Stratojet, RB-66 and EB-66 Destroyer, T-38 Talon, and F-111 Aardvark aircraft.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (2)
  • Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
  • Legion of Merit (2)
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Bronze Star (3)
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release