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First Name
James
Middle Name
O.
Last Name
Hivner
Birthdate
Hometown
Eilzabethtown , PA
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Jim Hivner entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force on November 23, 1953, was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings on March 14, 1955. After gunnery school in the T-33 Shooting Star, he completed F-84F Thunderstreak training. Lieutenant Hivner served at Bergstrom AFB, Texas. He then transferred to Kadena AB, Okinawa. Captain Hivner then served with the 45th, 46th, and then the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at MacDill AFB, Florida, flying the F-84F and then the F-4C Phantom II, from August 1962 to October 1965. While on deployment to Southeast Asia, he was forced to eject over North Vietnam when his Phantom was hit twice by heavy antiaircraft fire, on October 5, 1965. He was captured almost immediately and made a Prisoner of War.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Colonel Hivner was released during “Operation Homecoming” on February 12, 1973. Colonel Hivner was briefly hospitalized and treated for beriberi, caused by severe malnutrition. But, resulting blind spots prevented him from getting back in the cockpit. He returned to Bergstrom AFB, in the logistics/supply field, until he retired from the Air Force on November 1, 1976. Jim and Phyllis, a Registered Nurse, were married in 1955 and had two daughters and four grandsons. Jim Hivner died on July 19, 2017, and was buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. His wife Phyllis (1934-2016) is buried with him.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Purple Heart
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release