Richard D. Hartman

Dick Hartman entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1953, and graduated with a commission as an Ensign on June 7, 1957. Hartman next completed flight training and was awarded his Naval Aviator Wings at NAS Pensacola, Florida, in May 1958. After additional training at NAS Kingsville, Texas, he was assigned to Attack Squadron FORTY THREE from October to December 1960, and then to Attack Squadron EIGHTY-SIX aboard USS Independence (CVA-62) from December 1960 to June 1963. Lieutenant Hartman then attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, from June 1963 to May 1966. During this time, he obtained his Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Hartman next joined the Replacement Air Group with Attack Squadron 125 at NAS Lemoore, California, where he went through A-4 Skyhawk training before being assigned to Attack Squadron 164 aboard USS Oriskany (CVA-34) in September 1966. He began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia in October 1966, and was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on July 18, 1967.