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First Name
Jack
Middle Name
H.
Last Name
Tomes
Birthdate
Hometown
Owensboro, Kentucky
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Jack Tomes was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, on May 24, 1955, and went on active duty beginning August 3, 1955. Lieutenant Tomes next completed pilot training and was awarded his pilot wings at Greenville AFB, Mississippi, in September 1956, followed by F-86 Sabre Combat Crew Training at Williams AFB, Arizona, from September 1956 to March 1957. His first assignment was as an F-100 Super Sabre pilot with the 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Chamont AB, France, from April 1957 to May 1960, and then as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, from May 1960 to July 1963. Captain Tomes then served as an F-105 pilot with the 23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Bitburg AB, West Germany, from July 1963 to April 1966, followed by service as an F-105 pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from April 1966 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on July 7, 1966.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Lieutenant Colonel Tomes was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, California, and then served with the Air Force Human Resources Lab at Williams AFB, Arizona, from August 1973 to August 1974, followed by an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to complete his Master's degree from September 1974 to August 1976. His next assignment was with the Directorate of Personnel Program Actions at the Air Force Manpower and Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Texas, from September 1976 to March 1980, and then as Director of Personnel Programs and Director of Assignments with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, from April 1980 until his retirement from the Air Force on September 6, 1983. Jack Tomes Flew West on December 29, 1984, and was buried at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery in Chandler, Arizona.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit (2)
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Bronze Star
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release