Duane P. Vavroch

By zthanson, 7 December, 2022
First Name
Duane
Middle Name
P.
Last Name
Vavroch
Birthdate
Hometown
Tama, Iowa
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a U.S. Air Force uniform.
PreCapture Description

Duane Vavroch was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Iowa on May 23, 1970, and went on active duty beginning July 2, 1970. Lieutenant Vavroch next completed Undergraduate Navigator Training and was awarded his navigator wings at Mather AFB, California, in April 1971, followed by Navigator-Bombardier training and B-52 Stratofortress Combat Crew Training before joining the 716th Bomb Squadron at Kincheloe AFB, Michigan, in March 1972. He was forced to eject from his stricken B-52 while flying a bombing mission over North Vietnam on December 26, 1972, and was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War.

Post Release Image
Older man in a baseball cap holding a beer next to a woman holding a drink.
Post Release Description

He was released during Operation Homecoming on March 29, 1973. Captain Vavroch was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Scott AFB, Illinois, and then served as an instructor navigator with the 452nd Flying Training Squadron at Mather AFB from July 1973 until he left active duty on November 22, 1974.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Bronze Star
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release