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First Name
William
Middle Name
W.
Last Name
Wilson
Birthdate
Hometown
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
William Wilson was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Iowa State University on May 29, 1970, and went on active duty on June 27, 1970. Lieutenant Wilson completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laredo AFB, Texas, in July 1971, graduating 5th in his class, and was assigned as an F-111A Pilot/Weapons System Operator with the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada, in September 1971. Wilson deployed with the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing to Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, in October 1972, and flew 37 combat missions before being forced to eject over North Vietnam on December 22, 1972. He managed to evade his enemies for a week before being captured and taken as a Prisoner of War on December 29, 1972.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Wilson was released during Operation Homecoming on March 29, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, California, and then completed Pilot requalification at Randolph AFB, Texas. Captain Wilson served as a T-38 Talon instructor pilot with the 71st Flying Training Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia, from February 1974 until he left active duty on September 15, 1975. He then served as an F-100D Super Sabre pilot with the 132nd Tactical Fighter Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard from September 1975 until he went into the inactive reserve on October 16, 1978. After leaving the service, Bill worked for Boeing for many years as a flight deck design engineer, and was the lead engineer for cockpit design for Boeing's X-32 Joint Strike Fighter Concept Demonstrator. He is currently a manager in F-22 Raptor Pilot Training Systems. Bill and his wife Gayle have three children from previous marriages and three grandchildren.
Post-Release Photograph: By Gayle Caya, Courtesy of VMWF
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star
- Bronze Star (4)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release