William W. Conlee

By zthanson, 20 December, 2022
First Name
William
Middle Name
W.
Last Name
Conlee
Birthdate
Hometown
Galesburg, Illinois
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

Bill Conlee was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at San Diego State College on June 19, 1957, and went on active duty beginning February 12, 1958. Lieutenant Conlee next completed Navigator Training and was awarded his navigator wings at Harlingen AFB, Texas, in November 1958, followed by Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) training at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, from December 1958 to September 1959. After completing B-52 Stratofortress Combat Crew Training, he was assigned as a B-52 EWO and instructor EWO with the 342nd Bomb Squadron at Robins AFB, Georgia, from May 1960 to June 1961, followed by service as a B-52 Instructor EWO with the 93rd Bomb Squadron at Kincheloe AFB, Michigan, from June 1961 to January 1963. Major Conlee next served as a B-52 EWO with the 716th Bomb Squadron at Kincheloe AFB from February 1963 to January 1967, and then as EWO Instructor with the 328th Bomb Squadron at Castle AFB, California, from January 1967 to August 1969. After completing Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, he completed EB-66 Destroyer Combat Crew Training, and then deployed to Southeast Asia in October 1970. Colonel Conlee served as an EB-66 EWO with the 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from October 1970 to October 1971. His next assignment was as a B-52 EWO with the 20th Bomb Squadron at Carswell AFB, Texas, from October 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam while deployed to Southeast Asia on December 22, 1972.

Post Release Image
Man in blue collared shirt in a line in front of a crowd.
Post Release Description

Colonel Conlee was released during Operation Homecoming on March 29, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Sheppard AFB, Texas, and then served as Deputy Chief and then Chief of the Aircraft Test Division with Headquarters Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, from August 1973 to July 1975. Colonel Conlee attended Air War College at Maxwell AFB from July 1975 to May 1976, followed by service as Assistant Deputy Commander and then Deputy Commander for Operations of the 308th Strategic Missile Wing at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, from May 1976 until his retirement from the Air Force on September 1, 1979.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
  • Bronze Star (3)
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release