Konrad Wigand Trautman

Konnie Trautman enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on March 18, 1944, and went on active duty in the U.S. Army Air Forces on June 20, 1945, serving as an Aerial Engineer on C-47 Skytrain transports until leaving active duty on November 20, 1946. Private First Class Trautman returned to active duty in the U.S. Army Air Forces on May 3, 1947, serving as a B-29 Superfortress gunner until leaving active duty on November 2, 1948, and then enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force on March 23, 1949. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force and awarded his pilot wings at Randolph AFB, Texas, on March 29, 1950, and then served as a P-47 Thunderbolt, F-84 Thunderjet, and F-86 Sabre pilot with the 86th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Neubiberg AB, West Germany, from July 1950 to July 1953. During this time, Lieutenant Trautman deployed to Korea and flew 20 combat missions in the F-84 from August to October 1952. He left active duty on November 30, 1953, and then served with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard flying F-51 Mustangs from December 1, 1953, until he returned to active duty in the Air Force on August 1, 1955. Captain Trautman served as a Ferry Pilot with the 1737th Ferry Squadron at Dover AFB, Delaware, from August 1955 to February 1958, and then as Assistant Operations Officer for the 1912th Airborne Air Control Squadron at Olmstead AFB, Pennsylvania, from February 1958 to July 1959. His next assignment was as an Air Operations Officer, Plans Officer, and Chief of Plans & Programs for the 405th Fighter Wing at Clark AB in the Philippines from July 1959 to July 1961, followed by service as an Intercept Director with the 4627th Support Squadron at Custer AFS, Michigan, from July 1961 to August 1965. Major Trautman served as a Weapons Controller with the 709th Air Control and Warning Squadron at Fort Yukon AFS, Alaska, from August 1965 to September 1966, and then attended F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew Training from September 1966 to February 1967. He deployed to Southeast Asia in May 1967, serving as an F-105 pilot with the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from June 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War while flying his 62nd Combat Mission on October 5, 1967.