Milton James Vescelius Jr.

By zthanson, 22 February, 2023
First Name
Milton
Middle Name
James
Last Name
Vescelius
Suffix
Jr.
Birthdate
Hometown
Milford, Michigan
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Navy suit and cap.
PreCapture Description

Milton James Vescelius joined the U.S. Navy from Michigan and was a member of Light Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 63, embarked aboard the USS Coral Sea. Lieutenant Commander Milton Vescelius was the pilot of an RF8A on a combat mission over North Vietnam on September 21, 1967. Captain Vescelius' aircraft was hit during the mission, and he was forced to eject and was immediately captured.

Post Release Image
Black rectangle with text inside that says 'Died in Captivity, Date Unknown.’
Post Release Description

Captain Vescelius died while in captivity although the date is unknown. In August 1985, the Vietnamese government returned a set of remains to U.S. custody that were identified as those of Captain Vescelius. Captain Vescelius is memorialized in a cenotaph at  National Cemetery of the Pacific.

Passed away before release
In Memorium