Ramon A. (Ray) Horinek

Ray Horinek began flying at age 13 and later graduated from Hays Military Academy. Horinek enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings on February 24, 1955. Horinek then served as an instructor pilot with the 3575th Pilot Training Group at Vance AFB, Oklahoma. He then transferred to the 3510th Flying Training Squadron at Randolph AFB, Texas,. During this time he completed one month in a space cabin simulator, from April to May 1961, which aided in the later Apollo space missions. He served as a flight instructor with the 3576th Pilot Training Squadron at Vance AFB from January 1962 to September 1964. Horinek received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Oklahoma State University in 1963 while serving as a flight instructor at Vance AFB, and he volunteered for duty in Southeast Asia. After completing A-1 Skyraider combat crew training, he served with the 1st Air Commando Squadron at Bien Hoa AB in the Republic of Vietnam. He was then assigned to the Tactical Air Control Center at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand. Captain Horinek then volunteered to fly F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers. He returned to Southeast Asia in August 1967, this time flying with the 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand. He was forced to eject over North Vietnam on October 25, 1967, and was immediately captured and taken as a Prisoner of War.