Michael H. LaBeau

By zthanson, 6 December, 2022
First Name
Michael
Middle Name
H.
Last Name
LaBeau
Birthdate
Hometown
Lincoln Park, MI
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Place holder image. No image available for this veteran.
PreCapture Description

Mike LaBeau was born in 1945 in Lincoln Park, Michigan. He was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program on June 3, 1967, and went on active duty on July 31, 1967. LaBeau completed Undergraduate Navigator Training in May 1968, and then served as a B-52 Stratofortress Navigator Bombardier and Radar Navigator with the 716th Bomb Squadron at Kincheloe AFB, Michigan, from April 1969 to December 1972. During this time he flew ARC Light missions from Andersen AFB, Guam, from February to August 1970, and again in December 1972, where his B-52 was shot down over North Vietnam on December 26, 1972. LaBeau was immediately captured and taken as a Prisoner of War.

Post Release Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
Post Release Description

He was released during Operation Homecoming on March 29, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, before serving as a Staff Officer with the 3902nd Support Squadron at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, from August 1973 to September 1974. Captain LaBeau next completed FB-111 combat crew training in May 1975, and then served in testing at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, until his retirement from the Air Force on December 31, 1993. Mike LaBeau currently lives with his wife Linda in Texas and works for Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth.

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