William H. Talley

Bill Talley was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC Program at Oklahoma A&M College on May 28, 1955, and went on active duty beginning August 18, 1955. Lieutenant Talley next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Webb AFB, Texas, in September 1956. After completing advanced fighter training and reconnaissance school, he was assigned to the 29th, 20th, and 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons (TRS) at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, from September 1957 to May 1959, and then with the 17th TRS deployed to Laon AB, France, from May 1959 to June 1962. His next assignment was as an instructor pilot and flight test maintenance officer with the 3575th Pilot Training Wing at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, from August 1962 to October 1966, followed by service as a flight test maintenance officer with the 3630th and 3750th Consolidated Maintenance Squadrons at Sheppard AFB, Texas, from October 1966 to February 1968. Major Talley next completed F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew Training and Wild Weasel Training before deploying to Southeast Asia, where he flew 151 combat missions as an F-105F pilot with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron out of Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from January to November 1969. His next assignment was as an F-105 instructor pilot at McConnell AFB, Kansas, from November 1969 to March 1970, and then as an F-105G pilot with the 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron at McConnell from March 1970 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War while deployed on temporary duty with the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing in Southeast Asia on May 11, 1972. During this time, he deployed to Southeast Asia and flew 17 combat missions from March to April 1971, and another 14 combat missions from April to May 1972.