Charles D. Stackhouse

Charles Stackhouse entered the U.S. Naval Academy on July 1, 1957, and graduated with a commission as an Ensign on June 7, 1961. Ensign Stackhouse remained at the Academy as a Company Officer until he began flight training in September 1961. He was ranked number one in his graduating flight class and was designated a Naval Aviator in June 1963. He then served as an A-1 Skyraider pilot with VA-65 at NAS Oceana, Virginia, and aboard the USS Enterprise from June 1963 to December 1964, making an around the world cruise with Nuclear Task Force One earlier that year. In February 1965, Lieutenant Stackhouse was ordered to report as a TF-9J Cougar advanced instrument instructor pilot with VA-45 at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. Following that training in May of that year he was transferred to VA-44 at NAS Jacksonville for A-4 Skyhawk Replacement Air Group pilot training. Upon completion of that aircraft transition in July, Lieutenant Stackhouse flew with VA-76 once again aboard the USS Enterprise for its first combat tour from 2 Dec 1965 until June of the following year. In support of the growing Vietnam War the squadron was ordered to cease operations on the east coast and resume combat training on the west coast at NAS Lemoore, California, In July 1966. Early in February 1967, the squadron was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) and Lieutenant Stackhouse started his second combat tour. On April 25, 1967, he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War.