Gerald S. Venanzi

By zthanson, 7 December, 2022
First Name
Gerald
Middle Name
S.
Last Name
Venanzi
Birthdate
Hometown
Trenton, New Jersey
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a U.S. Air Force uniform.
PreCapture Description

Gerald Venanzi was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program on December 20, 1965, and completed Undergraduate Navigator Training on October 24, 1966. After Navigator training, Venanzi went through Navigator Reconnaissance Upgrade training, and began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia with the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, in June 1967, flying the RF-4C Phantom II. Lieutenant Venanzi was forced to eject over North Vietnam on September 17, 1967, and was immediately captured and taken as a Prisoner of War.

Post Release Image
Officers shaking hands in front of a bus.
Post Release Description

He was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. After hospitalization following his return, Venanzi became an Instructor Navigator with the 451st Flying Training Squadron at Mather AFB, California. Colonel Venanzi later served with the 323rd Flying Training Wing at Mather AFB, California, the 62nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, the 363rd Tactical Training Squadron at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, at the Pentagon, with the Keesler Technical Training Center at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, and with the 3636th Combat Crew Training Wing at Fairchild AFB, Washington. He retired from the Air Force on August 31, 1990.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (2)
  • Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
  • Legion of Merit (2)
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release