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First Name
Richard
Middle Name
R.
Last Name
Ratzlaff
Birthdate
Hometown
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Rank
Commander
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Dick Ratzlaff entered the Navy through the School of Pre-Flight on June 13, 1964, and was commissioned an Ensign upon completion of Naval Flight Officer School in February 1965. Ensign Ratzlaff attended F-4 Phantom II Replacement Air Group training with VF-121 at NAS Miramar, California, from February to September 1965, and then served as an F-4 RIO with VF-92 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) from September 1965 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on March 20, 1966.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Commander Ratzlaff was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at the Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois, and then attended U.S. Naval Post Graduate School from September 1973 to September 1974, followed by service with Fighter/AEW Wing Pacific from September 1974 to October 1977. After completing Military Justice School, Commander Ratzlaff served as a JAG Lawyer with the Naval Legal Service Office in San Diego, California, from December 1977 until he was medically retired from the Navy on August 8, 1980. Dick Ratzlaff died on February 28, 1981, and was buried at the Dearborn Memorial Park in Poway, California.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit (2)
- Bronze Star (2)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release