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First Name
Thomas
Middle Name
J.
Last Name
Barrett
Birthdate
Hometown
Lombard, IL
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Tom Barrett was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program on February 22, 1963, and completed Undergraduate Pilot Training on October 27, 1964. He completed F-4 Phantom II combat crew training and served with the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at MacDill AFB, Florida. While on TDY to Southeast Asia, Barrett was forced to eject over North Vietnam on October 5, 1965, and he was taken as a Prisoner of War.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Colonel Barrett was released during “Operation Homecoming” on February 12, 1973. After repatriation, Colonel Barrett went back on flying status and served with the 560th Flying Training Squadron at Randolph AFB, Texas, from February 1973 until February 1974, and then the 50th Flying Training Squadron at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, from February 1974 to July 1976. He served as the Director of Nonresident Operations at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from July 1976 to March 1981, and his final assignment was at the Chanute Technical Training Center on Chanute AFB, Illinois, from March 1981 until his retirement from the Air Force on April 30, 1983.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star (2)
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Bronze Star (3)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release