Add Content
First Name
William
Middle Name
R.
Last Name
Schwertfeger
Birthdate
Hometown
Enid, Oklahoma
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Bill Schwertfeger was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at Oklahoma State University and went on active duty beginning September 12, 1967. Lieutenant Schwertfeger next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, followed by Pilot Systems Operator training and F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training at George AFB, California. His first assignment was as an F-4 pilot systems operator with the 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, and he then attended F-4 pilot upgrade training at George AFB. Captain Schwertfeger next served as an F-4 pilot back with the 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai AFB from April 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on February 16, 1972.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
He was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 28, 1973. His next assignment was as an F-4 fighter weapons instructor and maintenance liaison officer with the 414th Fighter Weapons Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada, followed by service as an F-4 fighter weapons instructor with the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Tactical Employment School and the 406th Tactical Fighter Training Wing at Zaragoza AB, Spain, 9. Major Schwertfeger attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, and he then served as a Flight Commander and Deputy Chief of the F-4 Division at the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School and the 414th Fighter Weapons Squadron at Nellis AFB. His next assignment was as an F-15 Eagle pilot with the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, followed by service as the Air Force Advisor to the Kansas Air National Guard at McConnell AFB, Kansas, until his retirement from the Air Force on June 1, 1988. After retiring from the Air Force, Bill flew over 10,000 hours in the Boeing 727 with American Airlines before retiring in October 2005. He also amassed over 3,500 flying hours in the F-4 and F-15 during his Air Force career. He was named the 2016 Air Force ROTC Alumni of the Year, and the 2017 River RAT of the Year for the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star (3)
- Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
- Bronze Star
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release