Leo T. Profilet

Leo Profilet entered Aviation Officer Candidate School on March 10, 1948, was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1949, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy on June 1, 1950. His first assignment was flying AD Skyraiders with VA-115 aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47), where he served from October 1949 to September 1952, with two combat tours during the Korean War. He then served as an instrument flight instructor from September 1952 to September 1954, followed by school assignments until January 1956. Profilet served as a Weapons Officer aboard USS Tarawa (CVS-40) from January 1956 to January 1957, and then as Administrative Officer for VF-122 flying F2H Banshee fighters from January 1957 to June 1958. He then served as Maintenance Officer with VA-36, flying the A-4 Skyhawk, from June 1958 to June 1959. Commander Profilet was awarded his Bachelors degree in Aeronautical Engineering through the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in June 1961, and then graduated from Naval War College in July 1962. From July 1962 to July 1964 he served as a Short Range Missile Evaluator with Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force at Norfolk, Virginia. He served as Executive Officer of VA-45 from July 1964 to August 1965, and then as a Replacement Pilot with VA-122 from August 1965 to January 1966. Commander Profilet became Executive Officer of VA-196, flying A-6 Intruders from January 1966 to December 1966, and then Commander of VA-196 aboard USS Constellation (CV-64) until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on August 21, 1967.

Pre-Release Photograph: TogetherWeServed