Joseph Charles Plumb, Jr.

By zthanson, 13 December, 2022
First Name
Joseph
Middle Name
Charles
Last Name
Plumb
Suffix
Jr.
Birthdate
Hometown
Mission, Kansas
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Close up photo of a man in a U.S. Navy uniform.
PreCapture Description

Charlie Plumb entered the U.S. Naval Academy on June 5, 1960, and was commissioned an Ensign upon graduation on June 3, 1964. After completing flight training and being designated a Naval Aviator, Plumb completed F-4 Phantom II Replacement Air Group training, and then joined VF-114 at NAS Miramar, California, and later deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). Lieutenant Plumb began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia off the Kitty Hawk in January 1967, and he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War while flying his 75th combat mission on May 19, 1967.

Post Release Image
Man in a grey collared shirt, a pinned yellow ribbon, red lanyard and white hat.
Post Release Description

Commander Plumb was released during Operation Homecoming on February 18, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, and then left active duty and joined the Naval Reserve on January 10, 1974. Captain Plumb served with the Naval Reserve flying the A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair II, and F/A-18 Hornet until his retirement on October 1, 1991. After returning from Vietnam, Charlie wrote an autobiography about his experience as a Prisoner of War titled "I'm No Hero".

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star
  • Legion of Merit
  • Bronze Star (7)
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Additional Asset 1
JosephCPlumbJr (post).jpeg (70.55 KB)
Asset 1 Caption
Man in a decorated U.S. Navy uniform smiling.
Passed away before release
Post Release