Jose David Luna

By zthanson, 6 December, 2022
First Name
Jose
Middle Name
David
Last Name
Luna
Birthdate
Hometown
Orange, California
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit and cap.
PreCapture Description

Jose Luna enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on January 25, 1961, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in March 1961. He was then accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force for Navigator training, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded his navigator wings at Harlingen AFB, Texas, on March 20, 1962. Lieutenant Luna next attended Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) training at Mather AFB, California, from April 1962 to March 1963, followed by service as an EWO with B Flight of the 4677th Defense Evaluation Squadron at Hill AFB, Utah, from April 1963 to October 1966. Captain Luna served as an F-105F Wild Weasel EWO with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from November 1966 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on March 10, 1967.

Post Release Image
Officer shaking hands with people in a crowd.
Post Release Description

He was released during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973, and then was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries. After completing Undergraduate Pilot Training, Lieutenant Colonel Luna served as Assistant Operations Officer, Chief of Current Operations, and as a Flight Examiner with the 1402nd Military Airlift Squadron at Andrews AFB, Maryland, from June 1975 to February 1981. His final assignment was as Chief of Airfield Management for the 1776th Air Base Wing at Andrews AFB from February 1981 until his retirement from the Air Force on October 16, 1989.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (2)
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
  • Prisoner of War Medal


 

Passed away before release
Post Release