William J. (Bill) Elander, Jr.

Bill Elander completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings on July 22, 1959, at Webb AFB, Texas. After attending F-100 Super Sabre combat crew training, Elander was transferred to the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron at George AFB, California. He next served with the 39th Air Division at Osan AB, South Korea, from April 1962 to March 1963, when he was transferred to the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kadena AB, Okinawa. Captain Elander flew the F-105 Thunderchief on 38 combat missions in Southeast Asia. His next assignment was to the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. From there, he was selected to serve with the USAF Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Team. Major Elander served as the Maintenance and Material Officer, flying the number six F-4E Phantom II. He was next assigned to the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, where he again flew combat missions in Southeast Asia from March 1972 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on July 5, 1972.