Charles Nels Tanner

By zthanson, 9 December, 2022
First Name
Charles
Middle Name
Nels
Last Name
Tanner
Birthdate
Hometown
Covington, Tennessee
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a U.S. Navy suit and hat.
PreCapture Description

Nels Tanner entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Navy on July 7, 1953, was commissioned an Ensign on June 1, 1954, and was designated a Naval Aviator on November 30, 1954. His first assignment was as an AD-6 and AD-7 Skyraider pilot with VA-95 at NAS Alameda, California, from December 1954 to January 1959, followed by service on the staff of the Commander, Carrier Air Wing 15 (CVW-15) at Moffett Field, California, from February 1959 to January 1960. Lieutenant Tanner next served as an F-8 Crusader instructor pilot with VF-124 at Moffett Field and then at NAS Miramar, California, from July 1960 to April 1963, and then on the staff of CVW-15 again, from May 1963 to April 1965. His next assignment was as an F-8 and F-4 Phantom II pilot with VF-154 at NAS Miramar and deployed to Southeast Asia from May 1965 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on October 9, 1966.

Post Release Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Navy. suit and hat.
Post Release Description

Commander Tanner was released during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at NAS Memphis, Tennessee, and then served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Technical Training at NAS Memphis from November 1973 to 1977, with service as Assistant Chief of Staff for Recruit and Foreign Training from 1977 to 1981. His next assignment was as Commanding Officer of NAS Kingsville, Texas, from 1981 to 1983, followed by service as Commanding Officer of Fleet Tactical Support Squadron 50 (VRC-50) at NAS Cubi Point in the Philippines from 1983 to 1985. His final assignments were as Assistant Chief of Staff of Foreign Training with the Chief of Naval Education and Training at NAS Pensacola, Florida, and then as Chief of Staff of Foreign Training until his retirement from the Navy on October 1, 1985. Nels Tanner Flew West on June 12, 2015, and was buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Covington, Tennessee.

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