Louis H. "Lou" Bernasconi

By zthanson, 15 December, 2022
First Name
Louis
Middle Name
H.
Last Name
Bernasconi
Birthdate
Hometown
Napa, California
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

Lou Bernasconi was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at Fresno State College in Fresno, California, on June 8, 1954, and went on active duty beginning January 7, 1955. Lieutenant Bernasconi attended Pilot Training at Marana AFB, Arizona, from January to April 1955, and then Aircraft Observer training at James Connally AFB, Texas, graduating in May 1956. He next completed Navigator Strategic Bomber Training at Mather AFB, California, in September 1956, followed by service as a B-36 Peacemaker Navigator-Bombardier witht he 334th Bomb Squadron at Biggs AFB, Texas, from October 1956 to April 1959. His next assignment was as a B-52 Stratofortress Navigator-Bombardier and Radar-Navigator with the 301st Bomb Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida, from April 1959 to June 1962, and then as a B-52 Radar-Navigator with the 60th Bomb Squadron at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, from June 1962 to July 1965. Major Bernasconi attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from August 1965 to June 1966, and then served at the Air Force Special Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, from July 1966 to September 1970. Colonel Bernasconi served as a C-123 Provider Navigator with the 315th Tactical Airlift Wing and the 311th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam, from September 1970 to September 1971, followed by service as a B-52 Radar-Navigator with the 20th Bomb Squadron at Carswell AFB, Texas, from October 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War while on temporary duty to Southeast Asia on December 22, 1972.

Post Release Image
Two officers standing together. One officer speaks into a microphone.
Post Release Description

Bernasconi was released during Operation Homecoming on March 29, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Travis AFB, California, and then attended Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from August 1973 to May 1974. His final assignment was at Kirtland AFB, where he retired from the Air Force on July 1, 1980. Lou Bernasconi died on May 29, 2010, and was buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

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