James L. (Duffy) Hutton

James Hutton was born on February 11, 1932, in Washington, D.C. He was commissioned in the U.S. Navy through Officer Candidate School on November 9, 1955. After completing Air Ground Officers School, Aviation Electronics Officer School, and Bombardier-Navigator Training, Hutton began flying A-3 Skywarriers with VAH-9. His next assignment was as the Phase Head of the Radar-Bombing Phase of the Bombardier-Navigator School with VAH-3. Hutton next served with VAH-13 and then RVAH-3, where he qualified in the A-5A Vigilante. During his time at VAH-13, he was selected as one of the crew  members to be sent to Columbus, Ohio to the North American Plant to become qualified in the RA-5C. In September 1964, Hutton was transferred to RVAH-1, flying RA-5Cs as a Reconnaissance Attack Navigator. He began flying combat missions with RVAH-1 off the USS Independence in May 1965, and was forced to eject over North Vietnam on October 16, 1965. Lieutenant Commander Hutton and his pilot were immediately captured and taken as Prisoners of War.