Michael S. Kerr

By zthanson, 1 December, 2022
First Name
Michael
Middle Name
S.
Last Name
Kerr
Birthdate
Hometown
Santa Monica, CA
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

Mike Kerr enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on April 1, 1955, and served with the 13th Rifle Company at Santa Monica until he went on active duty in the Marine Corps on August 31, 1956. After completing basic training and Track Vehicle Maintenance School, Corporal Kerr served as a Track Vehicle Mechanic with Headquarters & Service Company, 3rd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 1st Force Service Regiment of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Del Mar (part of Camp Pendleton), California, until he left active duty on August 28, 1959. He entered Officer Training School with the U.S. Air Force and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force at Lackland AFB, Texas, on September 28,. 1964. Lieutenant Kerr attended pilot training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, followed by Survival Training at Stead AFB, Nevada, and RF-4C Phantom II Tactical Reconnaissance Training at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, and at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. His first assignment was as an RF-4C pilot with the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Mountain Home AFB from May to December 1966, and then as an RF-4C pilot with the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from December 1966 until he was forced to eject from his stricken aircraft over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on January 16, 1967.

Post Release Image
Older gentleman in a military uniform.
Post Release Description

Captain Kerr was released from captivity during “Operation Homecoming” on March 4, 1973. After completing F-106 Delta Dart Upgrade Training, he served as an F-106 pilot with the 84th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Castle AFB, California, from 1974 to June 1977. Major Kerr attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and then served with the 38th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Zweibrucken AB, West Germany. Lieutenant Colonel Kerr's final assignment was as as Wing Operations Staff Officer and Chief of Operations Plans with the 325th Operations Support Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Florida, from July 1982 until his retirement from the Air Force on October 1, 1992. Mike Kerr died on August 10, 2019, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Bronze Star (2) 
  • Prisoner of War Medal


 

Passed away before release
Post Release