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First Name
William
Middle Name
A.
Last Name
Robinson
Birthdate
Hometown
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Bill Robinson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on November 22, 1961, and was trained as a helicopter maintenance technician at Sheppard AFB, Texas. His first assignment was as an H-19 Chickasaw crew chief at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, from June 1962 to September 1963, followed by service as an H-19 crew chief with the 6314th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Osan AB, South Korea, from September 1963 to November 1964. Airman First Class Robinson next served as an HH-43 Huskie crew chief with the 3rd Air Rescue Squadron at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, from December 1964 to April 1965, and then deployed to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, with the 38th Air Rescue Squadron from April 1965 until his helicopter crashed during a rescue mission over North Vietnam and he was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War on September 20, 1965.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Master Sergeant Robinson was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Andrews AFB, Maryland, and then attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Sheppard AFB from November 1973 to April 1974. After completing the Officer's Aircraft Maintenance Course, Captain Robinson served as a maintenance officer with the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida, from July 1975 to August 1981. His final assignment was as a Logistics Management Officer with the 3246th Test Wing at Eglin AFB from September 1981 until his retirement from the Air Force on December 1, 1984.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Air Force Cross
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit
- Bronze Star
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release