Theodore S. Sienicki

By zthanson, 9 December, 2022
First Name
Theodore
Middle Name
S.
Last Name
Sienicki
Birthdate
Hometown
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Rank
Major
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force uniform.
PreCapture Description

Theodore Sienicki graduated with a bachelor's degree from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve to attend Officer Candidate School on April 18, 1969, and entered OTS on July 22, 1969, graduating with a commission as a Second Lieutenant on October 21, 1969. Lieutenant Sienicki attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Randolph AFB, Texas, from November 1969 to April 1970, and then switched to Undergraduate Navigator Training, earning his navigator wings at Mather AFB, California, in April 1971. He then completed F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training as a Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) in January 1972, followed by service as an F-4 WSO with the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from February 1972 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on May 3, 1972.

Post Release Image
Man in military uniform shaking hands with fellow officers in front of a bus.
Post Release Description

Captain Sienicki was released during Operation Homecoming on March 28, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Westover AFB, Massachusetts, and then attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams AFB, Arizona, earning his pilot wings in October 1974. Major Sienicki later completed F-111 Aardvark Combat Crew Training and served as Chief F-111 Flight Test Pilot with the Sacramento Air Logistics Center at McClellan AFB, California, from December 1979 to December 1983. He retired from the Air Force on August 1, 1989.

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