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First Name
David
Middle Name
H.
Last Name
Duart
Birthdate
Hometown
Canton, PA
Rank
Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Dave Duart enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings on August 1, 1955. Lieutenant Duart next completed F-86 Sabre Combat Crew Training before serving as an F-84 Thunderjet and F-100 Super Sabre pilot with the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Turner AFB, Georgia, followed by service as an F-100 pilot with the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron and on the staff of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena AB, Okinawa. His next assignment was as an instructor pilot and academic instructor with the 4524th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada, and then as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem AB, West Germany. Captain Duart then served as an F-105 pilot with the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on February 18, 1967.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Colonel Duart was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 4, 1973. He then served as an A-7 Corsair II pilot and as Chief of the Weapons and Tactics Division with the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, from August 1973 to July 1975. Colonel Duart attended U.S. Army War College from July 1975 to June 1976, followed by service as Assistant Deputy Commander for Maintenance with the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, from June 1976 until his retirement from the Air Force on May 1, 1980. Dave Duart died on September 10, 2003, and was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star (3)
- Legion of Merit
- Bronze Star (2)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release