Kenneth L. "Ken" Coskey

Ken Coskey entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program at NAS Pensacola, Florida, in November 1951, and was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1953, having been commissioned an Ensign on May 13, 1953. His first assignment was as an AF Guardian pilot with VS-21 at Coronado, California, from August 1953 to December 1954, followed by service as an instructor pilot at NAAS Whiting Field, Florida, from January 1955 to December 1957. Lieutenant Coskey attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California, from January to October 1958, and then Jet Transition Training at NAS Olathe, Kansas, from October to November 1958. After completing A-3 Skywarrior Replacement Air Group training with VAH-3 at NAS Sanford, Florida, he served as an A-3 pilot with VAH-1 at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA-62) from May 1959 to October 1962. He served as an A-3 pilot with Detachment 8 of VAH-11 from November 1962 to June 1963, and then attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey again, where he received his Bachelor's degree in June 1965. Commander Coskey served in the Navy Bureau of Personnel at the Pentagon from July 1965 to June 1967, followed by A-6 Intruder Replacement Air Group training with VA-42 at NAS Oceana, Virginia, from July to December 1967. Commander Coskey served as an A-6 pilot and as Executive Officer with VA-85 aboard the aircraft carrier USS America (CVA-66) from January to June 1968, and then as Commanding Officer of VA-85 from July 1968 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on September 6, 1968.