James Y. "Jim" Nagahiro

James Nagahiro enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on March 25, 1953, and completed basic training at Parks AFB, California, in May 1953. After completing Pre-Flight Training from May to August 1953, he entered the Aviation Cadet Program for Observer Navigator Training, earning his navigator wings at Harlingen AFB, Texas, on June 16, 1954. Lieutenant Nagahiro served as a C-124 Globemaster II Navigator with the 61st Troop Carrier Group at Donaldson AFB, South Carolina, from June 1954 to June 1956, and then completed flight training, earning his pilot wings at Laredo AFB, Texas, in July 1957. He then completed B-47 Stratojet transition training in November 1957, followed by service as a B-47 pilot at Schilling AFB, Kansas, from November 1957 to August 1961. His next assignment was as a B-47 pilot with the 529th Bomb Squadron at Plattsburgh AFB, New York, from August 1961 to May 1965, and he then completed B-52 Stratofortress Combat Crew Training from May to August 1965. Major Nagahiro served as a B-52 pilot with the 744th Bomb Squadron at Beale AFB, California, from August 1965 to January 1968, followed by service as an Air Operations Officer, and then Chief of the Scheduling Plans Section of the 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing at Beale from January to December 1968. His next assignment was as an Air Operations Officer and Operations Staff Officer with the 4258th Strategic Wing at U-Tapao Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from December 1968 to January 1970, and then as a B-52 pilot, Operations Officer, and Flight Examiner with the 60th Bomb Squadron at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, from January 1970 to August 1971. Colonel Nagahiro then served as B-52 pilot and Instructor Pilot with the 325th Bomb Squadron at Fairchild AFB, Washington, from August 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on December 21, 1972.