John Cerak

John Cerak graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a commission as a 2d Lt on June 7, 1967. Lieutenant Cerak attended North Carolina State University under an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment, and then completed Undergraduate Pilot Training, receiving his pilot wings at Laughlin AFB, Texas, in April 1969. After completing A-37 Dragonfly Combat Crew Training, he deployed to Southeast Asia where he served with the 90th Attack Squadron at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, from December 1969 to October 1970, followed by F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training and an assignment with the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Homestead AFB, Florida, from January 1970 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War while flying TDY out of Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, on June 27, 1972.