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First Name
Peter
Middle Name
P.
Last Name
Camerota
Birthdate
Hometown
Gibbstown, NJ
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Pete Camerota entered Officer Training School with the U.S. Air Force on June 29, 1967, receiving his commission as a 2d Lt at Lackland AFB, Texas, on September 29, 1967. Lieutenant Camerota attended Undergraduate Pilot Training from October 1967 to April 1968, and then transferred to Undergraduate Navigator Training, earning his navigator wings at Mather AFB, California, in December 1968. He then completed Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) Training at Mather in July 1969, followed by B-52 Stratofortress Combat Crew Training from September to December 1969. His first assignment was as a B-52 EWO with the 2nd Bomb Squadron of the 22nd Bomb Wing at March AFB, California, from December 1969 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam on December 22, 1972. Captain Camerota managed to evade the enemy until being captured on January 3, 1973.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
He was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 29, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, and then completed Undergraduate Pilot Training in March 1975. After completing C-141 Starlifter upgrade training, he served as a C-141 pilot and instructor pilot with the 30th Military Airlift Squadron of the 438th Military Airlift Wing at McGuire AFB, New Jersey, from August 1975 to June 1981. Captain Camerota next served as Commander of Detachment 12, 2nd Aircraft Delivery Group at Kadena AB, Okinawa, from July 1981 to July 1984, followed by service as a C-21A pilot, instructor pilot, Mission Coordination Officer, and Safety Officer with the 58th Military Airlift Squadron at Ramstein AB, West Germany, from September 1984 until his retirement from the Air Force on October 1, 1987. After retiring from the Air Force, Pete flew for Federal Express for many years.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Distinguished Flying Cross w/ Valor Citation
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release