Hugh Allen Stafford

Hugh Stafford enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Navy on September 28, 1955, and was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator at Beeville, Texas, on March 16, 1957. His first assignment was as an air-to-air gunnery instructor at AAS Barin Field, Alabama, from March 1957 to August 1959, followed by service as an A3D Skywarrior pilot with VAH-4 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, from August 1959 until he left active duty on September 1, 1960. Lieutenant Stafford next attended Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, before returning to active duty in the Navy on July 22, 1962. His next assignment was as an S-2 Tracker pilot with VU-7 at NAS North Island, California, from August 1962 to August 1964, followed by service with Tactical Air Control Squadron 12 at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, from August 1964 to August 1966. Lieutenant Commander Stafford next completed A-4 Skyhawk Replacement Air Group training with VA-125 at NAS Lemoore, California, before serving as an A-4E pilot with VA-163 at NAS Lemoore and deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany from June 1967 until he was shot down over North Vietnam and taken as a Prisoner of War on August 31, 1967.