Robert D. Peel

Bob Peel enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force on January 25, 1960, attended Pre-Flight Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, from January to April 1960, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, on May 12, 1961. Lieutenant Peel next completed F-102 Delta Dagger Combat Crew Training with the 3555th Flying Training Wing at Perrin AFB, Texas, in November 1961, followed by service as an F-102 pilot with the 509th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Clark AB in the Philippines from January 1962 to April 1964. His next assignment was to F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew Training from May to September 1964, and then as an F-105 pilot with the 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, from November 1964 to April 1965. During this time he deployed with his unit to Incirlik AB, Turkey, from November 1964 to February 1965. Lieutenant Peel served as an F-105 pilot with the 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB from May 1, 1965, until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam while on temporary duty to Southeast Asia on May 31, 1965.