Robert F. Waggoner

Robert Waggoner enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force on April 14, 1955, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force and awarded his pilot wings at Laughlin AFB, Texas, on July 28, 1956. Lieutenant Waggoner next completed All-Weather Interceptor training and F-89 Scorpion Combat Crew Training at Perrin AFB, Texas, before serving as an F-89J pilot with the 54th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, from January 1957 to December 1958. He then served as an F-89D pilot with the 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Goose Bay, Labrador, from December 1958 to April 1960, followed by Weapons Controller training at Tyndall AFB, Florida, from April to June 1960. His next assignment was as a Weapons Controller/Director with Detachment 1 of the 728th Air Control & Warning Squadron at Pope AFB, North Carolina, from June 1960 to December 1963, and then as a T-39 Sabreliner instructor pilot with the 4500th Air Base Wing at Langley AFB, Virginia, from December 1963 to August 1966. Captain Waggoner served as an F-105 pilot with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from August 1966 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on September 12, 1966.