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First Name
Charles
Middle Name
R.
Last Name
Gillespie
Suffix
Jr.
Birthdate
Hometown
Meridian, MS
Rank
Commander
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Charles Gillespie was commissioned through the U.S. Naval Academy on June 1, 1951, and completed flight training, earning a designation as a Naval Aviator in 1952. He served in numerous flying assignments before flying combat missions in Southeast Asia with Fighter Squadron 151 off the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CVA-64) from June to November 1966 and then off the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) from August 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on October 24, 1967.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Captain Gillespie was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 14, 1973. He then served as a Test Pilot, Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs of the Naval Air Test Center, Commanding Officer of NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and as Deputy Commander of the Naval Air Test Center at Pax River, from June 1975 through October 1982. Captain Gillespie's final assignment was as Director of the Range Directorate, Pacific Missile Test Center, in Point Mugu, California, from October 1982 until his retirement from the Navy on June 30, 1983. He died in the crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2 on February 28, 1989, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit (3)
- Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
- Bronze Star
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release