Carl W. Lasiter

Carl W. Lasiter was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program on August 4, 1956, and went on active duty beginning July 6, 1957. Lieutenant Lasiter next completed pilot training and was awarded his pilot wings at Webb AFB, Texas, in July 1958, followed by F-86 Sabre Combat Crew Training at Williams AFB, Arizona, from September 1958 to April 1959. After attending Basic Instructor School at Craig AFB, Alabama, he served as an instructor pilot with the 3575th Pilot Training Squadron and as a member of the Group Standardization Board with the 3575th Pilot Training Group at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, from June 1959 to October 1963. Captain Lasiter attended F-100 Super Sabre Combat Crew Training at Luke AFB, Arizona, and then served as an F-100 pilot with the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, from July 1964 to June 1965. His next assignment was as a Fighter Officer with the Tactical Evaluation Branch, Headquarters 3rd Air Force, at Ruislip AS, England, from July 1965 to October 1967, followed by service as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from October 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on February 5, 1968.