Gobel D. James

Gobel James enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program and was commissioned and awarded his pilot wings on June 16, 1953. After combat crew training, James flew the F-86F Sabre with the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing at Kimpo AB, South Korea. He was transferred to Clovis AFB, New Mexico, where he served until he left active duty in June 1956. James went into the Colorado Air National Guard in September 1956, where he flew T-33 and F-80 Shooting Stars, F-86 Sabres, and the F-100 Super Sabre. During this time he flew the Slot position with the Minute Men, the Air National Guard Precision Demonstration Team, flying F-86F's. He was recalled to active duty in October 1961, and flew F-100's and F-105 Thunderchiefs at McConnell AFB, Kansas. He completed the U.S. Army Jump School, and he was assigned to Bitburg AB, West Germany , flying F-105's and the F-4 Phantom II. In October 1967, Major James began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia in the F-105F Wild Weasel aircraft. After a short tour in Korea at the time of the USS Pueblo incident, he was stationed at Korat AB, Thailand. James was shot down over North Vietnam on July 15, 1968, and was immediately captured and taken as a Prisoner of War.