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First Name
Kenneth
Middle Name
H.
Last Name
Higdon
Birthdate
Hometown
San Francisco, CA
Rank
Lieutenant Commander
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Ken Higdon enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve on July 8, 1964, and served at NAS Los Alamitos and NAS Alameda, California, before entering the U.S. Naval School of Pre-Flight at NAS Pensacola, Florida, earning his commission as an Ensign on December 16, 1965. Ensign Higdon completed pre-flight training, and then attended Basic Naval Aviation Observer training at NAS Pensacola. He attended Bombardier/Navigator training with RVAH-3 at NAS Sanford, Florida, followed by instrument training with VA-43 at NAS Oceana, Virginia. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Higdon then attended A-6 Intruder Bombardier/Navigator Fleet Replacement training with VA-42 at NAS Oceana and served as an A-6A Bombardier/Navigator with VA-65 at NAS Oceana, Virginia, including flying combat in Southeast Asia while deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CVA-64) from September to November 1966, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59), and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63). Lieutenant Higdon next served as an instructor at NAS Kingsville, Texas, followed by A-6 Fleet Replacement training with VA-128 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. He served as an A-6B Bombardier/Navigator with VA-196 at NAS Whidbey Island and deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) from June 1972 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on December 21, 1972.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Lieutenant Higdon was released during “Operation Homecoming” on February 12, 1973. He then attended the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California, followed by A-6 Fleet Replacement training with VA-42 at NAS Oceana. His next assignment was as an A-6 Bombardier/Navigator and Admin Officer for VA-34 at NAS Oceana. He then served on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet at Norfolk from June 1978 to June 1981. After attending additional training, Lieutenant Commander Higdon served with the pre-commissioning unit for the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), from August 1981 to March 1982, and remained aboard as ship's company when she was commissioned on March 13, 1982, serving aboard her until October 1983. His final assignment was at NAS Beeville, Texas, from November 1983 until he retired from the Navy on September 1, 1986.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Bronze Star
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release