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First Name
John
Middle Name
W.
Last Name
Brodak
Birthdate
Hometown
St. Louis, Missouri
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
John Brodak was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Air Force ROTC program at Saint Louis University on June 3, 1961, and went on active duty beginning October 2, 1961. Lieutenant Brodak completed pilot training and was awarded his pilot wings at Webb AFB, Texas, in December 1962, and then completed F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew Training before serving with the 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Bitburg AB, West Germany, from November 1963 to April 1966. Captain Brodak next served as an F-105 pilot with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from April 1966 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on August 14, 1966.
Post Release Description
Major Brodak was released during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Scott AFB, Illinois, and then received an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to the University of Philadelphia to complete his Masters degree, followed by the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Colonel Brodak served as Operations Officer and then Commander of the 15th Military Airlift Squadron at Norton AFB, California, from June 1977 to April 1979, and then attended Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. His final assignment was with Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon, where he retired from the Air Force on July 1, 1983.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star (2)
- Legion of Merit (2)
- Bronze Star
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release