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First Name
Edwin
Last Name
Atterberry
Birthdate
Hometown
Klondike, TX
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Edwin Atterberry entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force on July 5, 1955. Atterberry was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings at Bryan AFB, Texas, on October 13, 1956, and then completed F-84 Thunderstreak Combat Crew Training and Reconnaissance training before serving as an RF-84 Thunderflash pilot with the 302nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS) at Sembach AB, West Germany, and Laon AB, France, from October 1957 to May 1959. Captain Atterberry flew reconnaissance missions over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. Serving with the 10th and 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons, he was shot down while piloting an RF-4C reconnaissance aircraft near Gia Lam North Vietnam, on August 12, 1967.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Held at the Cu Loc camp ("The Zoo") on the outskirts of Hanoi, he escaped with fellow POW John Dramesi on May 10, 1968, but both men were subsequently recaptured. Colonel Atterberry died on May 18, 1969, it is believed, from torture sessions following his recapture. His remains were recovered and returned on March 13, 1974. Edwin Atterberry was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and his body was returned to the United States on March 13, 1974. He was buried in the Field of Honor at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Air Force Cross
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
- Bronze Star
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
In Memorium