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Gregg Hanson enlisted in the Air Force Reserve on July 17, 1969, and entered Officer Training School on October 24, 1969, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force on January 23, 1970. Lieutenant Hanson next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Williams AFB, Arizona, and then completed F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training in September 1971. His first assignment was as an F-4 pilot with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from November 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on June 13, 1972.

Captain Hanson was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 28, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, California, and left active duty on July 1, 1973.
- Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
- Bronze Star
- Prisoner of War Medal