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First Name
William
Middle Name
L.
Last Name
Shankel
Birthdate
Hometown
Angels Camp, California
Rank
Commander
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
William Shankel enlisted in the Naval Aviation Cadet Program on February 9, 1961, and was designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Kingsville, Texas, in August 1962. After completing A-4 Skyhawk Replacement Air Group training with VA-125 at NAS Lemoore, California, Ensign Shankel served with VA-94 at NAS Lemoore and deployed aboard the aircraft carriers USS Ranger (CVA-61) and USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) from March 1963 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on December 23, 1965. During this time, Lieutenant Junior Grade Shankel made two combat deployments to Southeast Asia from August 1964 to May 1965, and again from October 1965 until he was shot down in December 1965.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Lieutenant Commander Shankel was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland, California, and then attended the University of Connecticut, receiving his Bachelor's degree in June 1976, followed by the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree in February 1979. Commander Shankel next completed his Internship and Residency at NNMC Bethesda, Maryland, in July 1984, and retired from the Navy on April 1, 1985. He is a Board Certified Surgeon.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Bronze Star (2)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release