Robert J. "Bob" Schweitzer

Bob Schweitzer enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 22, 1950, and after completing basic training he served at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, until February 1952, when he entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program at NAS Pensacola, Florida. He was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and designated a Naval Aviator on July 2, 1953, and then served as an AD-6 Skyraider pilot with VA-95 at NAS Alameda, California. His next assignment was as a Flight and Academic Instructor at NAAS Whiting Field, Florida, followed by service on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Lieutenant Commander Schweitzer served as an A-4 Skyhawk pilot with VA-155 at NAS Lemoore, California, and then with VA-153 at NAS Lemoore. His next assignment was as an Officer Assignment Officer with the Bureau of Naval Personnel at the Pentagon from February 1965 to January 1967, followed by A-4 Replacement Air Group training with VA-125 at NAS Lemoore from January to July 1967. Commander Schweitzer then served with VA-144 at NAS Lemoore and deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) from July 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on January 5, 1968.