John H. Alpers, Jr.

By zthanson, 3 November, 2022
First Name
John
Middle Name
H.
Last Name
Alpers
Suffix
Jr.
Birthdate
Hometown
Richmond, VA
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in military uniform
PreCapture Description

John Alpers received a commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Air Force ROTC program at U of Colorado on January 29, 1964. Lieutenant Alpers served as a B-52 radar-navigator with the 60th Bomb Squadron at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, from March 1967 to May 1970, and then F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training from May to November 1970. Captain Alpers deployed to Southeast Asia as an F-4 Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from January to April 1971, and then was hospitalized at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado, from April to September 1971. His next assignment was as an F-4 WSO with the 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, from September 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War while on temporary duty to Vietnam on October 5, 1972.

Post Release Description

Captain Alpers was released during  “Operation Homecoming” on March 29, 1973. He served as an Air Operations Controller with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB from October 1973 to March 1974, followed by service as Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies with the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Arizona, from March 1974 to June 1978. Colonel Alpers' final assignment was with the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he served as Deputy Commander of the Navigation Department from June 1978 to June 1979, with the Commandant's Training Shop from June 1979 to June 1980, with the Psychology Department from June 1980 to June 1981, as Deputy Commander of the Plans & Policy Shop from June 1981 to June 1982, and finally as Commander of the Plans & Policy Shop from June 1982 until his retirement from the Air Force on October 1, 1983. After retiring from the Air Force, John founded Gateway Financial Strategies, LLC, a $35 Million financial planning and asset management company, now run by his son, John H. Alpers, III. He raced vintage Porsche racecars from 2003 until 2015. John Alpers died on August 6, 2015, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
  • Bronze Star
  • Air Medal
  • Meritorious Service Medal
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release