Theodore F. (Ted) Kopfman

By zthanson, 1 December, 2022
First Name
Theodore
Middle Name
F.
Last Name
Kopfman
Birthdate
Hometown
Kent, OH
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Navy suit and cap.
PreCapture Description

Ted Kopfman received his commission as an Ensign through Officer Candidate School at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, on August 30, 1955. Ensign Kopfman next completed flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Pensacola, followed by advanced instrument training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Kopfman completed jet fighter training at NAS Corpus Christi in March 1957, and then served as a flight instructor with ATU-203 and then ATU-213 at NAAS Chase Field, Texas. He then attended A4D Skyhawk fleet replacement pilot training at NAS Moffett Field, California, followed by service as an A4D (redesignated A-4 in 1962) pilot with VA-195 at NAS Moffett Field from July 1959 to November 1962. Lieutenant Commander Kopfman served as an A-4 flight instructor with VA-125 at NAS Lemoore, California, from November 1962 to September 1965, and then as an A-4 pilot with VA-55 at NAS Lemoore and deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) from September 1965 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on June 15, 1966. 

Post Release Image
Older man saluting in hat.
Post Release Description

Commander Kopfman was released during “Operation Homecoming” on February 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, California, and he then attended A-4 flight training and served as a Project Officer with Light Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, at NAS Lemoore from December 1973 to July 1975. Captain Kopfman next served as Commanding Officer of VT-26 at NAS Chase Field from July 1975 to June 1976, followed by service as Assistant Chief of Staff for Training and Operations with the Chief of Naval Air Training at NAS Corpus Christi from June 1976 until his retirement from the Navy on November 1, 1978. Ted Kopfman died on March 19, 2014, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (2)
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
  • Bronze Star (4)
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release