Phillip Allen (Al) Kientzler

By zthanson, 1 December, 2022
First Name
Phillip
Middle Name
Allen
Last Name
Kientzler
Birthdate
Hometown
Poway, CA
Rank
Lieutenant Commander
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a military suit and cap.
PreCapture Description

Al Kientzler was born on April 6, 1940, in Poway, California. He entered the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School on May 19, 1963, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy on September 20, 1963. Ensign Kientlzer then completed the Naval Aviation Officer Training Program and the Airborne Radar Intercept Operator Course at NATTC Glynco, Georgia, in May 1964. He attended F-4 Phantom II Fleet Replacement, followed by service as an F-4 Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) with VF-143. His next assignment was as an F-4 RIO with VF-33 until he left active duty on November 24, 1967. Lieutenant Kientzler returned to active duty on May 26, 1970, and he attended F-4 Fleet Replacement training with VF-121 at NAS Miramar, followed by service as an F-4 RIO with VF-143 from December 1970 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on January 27, 1973.

Post Release Image
Man in a U.S. Navy suit and cap at a microphone.
Post Release Description

Lieutenant Commander Kientzler was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 27, 1973. He then served as a test and evaluation officer with VX-4 at NAS Point Mugu, California, from September 1973 to March 1976. His next assignment was as a Flight Deck Officer and Assistant Command Duty Officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) from April 1976 to April 1978, followed by service as an Aviation Training Officer and Resident Management Officer at NAS Alameda, California, from June 1978 to July 1981. After completing the Aviation Safety Officer Course at Monterey, California, Lieutenant Commander Kientzler served as Aviation Safety Officer at NAF Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean from July 1981 to September 1982, and then as Port Services Officer at Naval Station Treasure Island, California, from October 1982 until his retirement from the Navy on July 1, 1984. Al Kientzler died on February 2, 2005.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Bronze Star
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release