James L. Lamar

By zthanson, 6 December, 2022
First Name
James
Middle Name
L.
Last Name
Lamar
Birthdate
Hometown
Eudora, Arkansas
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

Lamar was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings at Williams AFB, Arizona, on September 30, 1949, and then flew F-51 Mustang and F-80 Shooting Star fighters with the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the 35th Fighter Interceptor Group in Japan and Korea from November 1949 to May 1951. After completing 100 combat missions in Korea, he served as a fighter gunnery instructor at Luke AFB, Arizona, from July 1951 to August 1955. His next assignment was as an F-86F and F-100 Super Sabre pilot with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena AB, Okinawa, where he served from September 1955 to March 1958. During this time he deployed to Chiaye, Taiwan, for six months as an F-84 advisor to the Chinese 4th Fighter Wing. Captain Lamar then transferred to Vance AFB, Oklahoma, where he served as a flight instructor with the 3576th Pilot Training Squadron from May 1958 to April 1963. He then served with the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron at George AFB, California, and then at McConnell AFB, Kansas, from April 1963 to November 1965, and then deployed to Southeast Asia at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from November 1965 until he was shot down over North Vietnam and taken as a Prisoner of War on May 6, 1966.

Post Release Image
Older man in military uniform giving a speaking into a microphone.
Post Release Description

Colonel Lamar was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Lackland AFB, Texas, and then attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., from August 1973 until August 1974. Colonel Lamar's last assignment was as Vice Commander of the 602nd Tactical Air Control Wing at Bergstrom AFB, Texas, where he served from August 1974 until his retirement from the Air Force on May 31, 1976. He and his wife Judy have seven children.

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