Lynn E. Guenther

By zthanson, 22 November, 2022
First Name
Lynn
Middle Name
E.
Last Name
Guenther
Birthdate
Hometown
Glasgow, MT
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

Lynn Guenther was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program and went on active duty beginning July 24, 1968. Lieutenant Guenther next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Webb AFB, Texas, followed by survival training and KC-135 Stratotanker Combat Crew Training. His first assignment was as a KC-135 pilot with the 909th Air Refueling Squadron at March AFB, California, during which time he deployed to Southeast Asia twice. He then completed Forward Air Controller training and OV-10 Bronco Combat Crew Training before serving as an OV-10 pilot with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron at DaNang and Pleiku AB, South Vietnam, and then at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB, Thailand until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on December 26, 1971.

Post Release Image
Man in military uniform sitting at a panel.
Post Release Description

Captain Guenther was released during “Operation Homecoming” on February 12, 1973. His next assignment was as Chief of the Customer Assistance Section and Chief of the Personnel Utilization Section in the Consolidated Base Personnel Office with the 2852nd Air Base Group at McClellan AFB, California, followed by service as Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies with the Air Force ROTC detachment at Oregon State U. Major Guenther then returned to flight status as a KC-135 pilot with the 46th Air Refueling Squadron of the 410th Bomb Wing at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan, and then served on the staff of Headquarters Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. He served as Operations Officer for the 46th Air Refueling Squadron, and then as Commander of the 307th Air Refueling Squadron at K.I. Sawyer AFB. Colonel Guenther served as Advanced Echelon Team Chief for activation of the KC-135R with the 341st Strategic Missile Wing, followed by service as Deputy Commander for Operations of the 301st Air Refueling Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. His final assignment was as Commander of the 92nd Support Group of the 92nd Bomb Wing at Fairchild AFB, Washington, until his retirement from the Air Force on August 1, 1994.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release