Hubert K. Flesher

Bud Flesher enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on April 10, 1951, and after completing basic training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, he completed Radar Mechanic training at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, in April 1952. His first assignment was as a radar mechanic with the 4113th and then the 43rd Armament and Electronic Maintenance Squadrons at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, from April 1952 to April 1953, followed by acceptance into the Aviation Cadet Program, where he earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant and his pilot wings at Bryan AFB, Texas, on July 22, 1954. Lieutenant Flesher next completed F-86 Sabre Combat Crew Training, and then served as an instructor pilot with the 3626th Combat Crew Training Group at Tyndall AFB, Florida, from March 1955 to February 1957. His next assignment was as a Flight Test Maintenance Officer at Tyndall AFB and then at Moody AFB, Georgia, from February 1957 to September 1960, followed by an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to Oklahoma State University to complete his bachelor's degree from September 1960 to April 1962. Major Flesher then served as a Flight Test Maintenance Officer with the 4603rd Air Base Group at Stewart AFB, New York, from April 1962 to January 1965, and then as a Jet Aircraft Scheduling Officer with the 1st Fighter Wing at Selfridge AFB, Michigan, from January 1965 to March 1966. His next assignment was as an F-4 Phantom II pilot with the 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Woodbridge, England, from March to October 1966, when he deployed to Southeast Asia. Major Flesher served as an F-4 pilot with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron at DaNang AB, South Vietnam, from October 1966 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on December 2, 1966.