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First Name
Albert
Middle Name
R.
Last Name
Molinare
Birthdate
Hometown
San Diego, CA
Rank
Lieutenant
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Albert Molinare enlisted in the Naval Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate program on October 1, 1966, and he went on active duty to attend flight school after graduating with a bachelor's degree from San Diego State in 1968. After receiving his commission as an Ensign and his designation as a Naval Aviator in 1969, Ensign Molinare attended F-4 Phantom II Replacement Air Group training with VF-121 at NAS Miramar, California. His next assignment was as an F-4B pilot with VF-51 at NAS Miramar, and then deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) from November 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on April 27, 1972.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Lieutenant Molinare was released during Operation Homecoming on March 28, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, and then left active duty on August 30, 1973. After leaving active duty, Al flew commercial airliners for 33 years before retiring in 2005. He and his wife Karen have been married since 1968, and they have one son and two daughters together.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Bronze Star (3)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release