Raymond A. "Ray" Vohden

By zthanson, 7 December, 2022
First Name
Raymond
Middle Name
A.
Last Name
Vohden
Birthdate
Hometown
Springfield, New Jersey
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a U.S. Navy hat.
PreCapture Description

Ray Vohden enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve on October 16, 1952, and went on active duty to begin the Aviation Cadet Program in the U.S. Navy on January 15, 1953. He was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Pensacola, Florida, on August 2, 1954, and then flew with VF-73, VF-74, before serving with VA-216 as an A-4 Skyhawk pilot. Lieutenant Commander Vohden was forced to eject from his stricken aircraft over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on April 3, 1965.

Post Release Image
Man in a decorated Navy uniform.
Post Release Description

Commander Vohden was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, and later served as the Principal Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense on Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from September 1975 to December 1976. Captain Vohden served as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., from September 1979 to August 1982, followed by service as a member of the Naval Discharge Review Board on the Staff of the Director, Naval Council of Personnel Boards, from September 1982 until his retirement from the Navy on August 1, 1985. Ray Vohden Flew West on November 21, 2016, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star
  • Defense Superior Service Medal
  • Legion of Merit (3)
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Bronze Star (2)
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Additional Asset 1
R Vohden (post-cropped).png (71.2 KB)
Asset 1 Caption
Man in a grey sweater with blue collar.
Passed away before release
Post Release