Add Content
First Name
Claude
Middle Name
D.
Last Name
Clower
Birthdate
Hometown
Belzoni, MS
Rank
Commander
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Doug Clower entered the Naval Pre-flight program in 1955 and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy on March 7, 1956, receiving his Naval Aviator wings in August 1957. Clower's first assignment was as an instructor pilot at NAAS Corry Field, Florida. He then joined VF-174, the Replacement Air Group at NAS Cecil Field, Florida and was assigned as Maintenance Officer of VF-84 at NAS Oceana, Virginia, from March 1959 to February 1962. Clower attended the U.S. Navy Post-graduate school from February 1962 to July 1964, and then served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) from July 1964 to July 1966. Commander Clower served as Operations Officer with VF-151 from July 1966 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam on November 19, 1967 and was immediately captured and sent to Hoa Lo (aka “Hanoi Hilton”).
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Clower was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 14, 1973, and after hospitalization was assigned to VF-21 from December 1973 to October 1974. His final assignment was with the Commander of the Fighter Airborne Early Warning Wing for the Pacific Fleet, San Diego, California, where he served from October 1974 until his retirement from the Navy on October 31, 1975. Doug Clower died on October 3, 2010, and was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Beaumont, Texas. His widow, Vivian Maurine Brown Clower (1932-2012), is buried with him.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star (2)
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
- Bronze Star (15)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release