Gale A. Despiegler

By zthanson, 17 November, 2022
First Name
Gale
Middle Name
A.
Last Name
Despiegler
Birthdate
Hometown
Browns Valley, MN
Rank
Major
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
male in military uniform
PreCapture Description

Gale Despiegler enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on September 13, 1956, Airman First Class Despiegler attended Weapons Control Systems Mechanic School followed by service as a Weapons Control Systems Mechanic Instructor with the 3435th and then the 3419th School Squadrons at Lowry AFB until he entered Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force at Lackland AFB, Lieutenant Despiegler completed Navigator-Bombardier Training and B-52 Stratofortress Combat Crew Training, followed by service as a B-52 navigator and radar navigator with the 436th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and then at Carswell AFB, Texas. Captain Despiegler then served as a B-52 radar navigator with the 46th Bomb Squadron. He then attended F-4 Phantom II Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) training and F-4 Combat Crew Training. He served as an F-4E WSO with the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang AB, South Vietnam, from October 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on April 15, 1972.

Post Release Image
Two men in uniform shaking hands.
Post Release Description

Major Despiegler was released during Operation Homecoming on March 28, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Lieutenant Colonel Despiegler next served as Wing Simulator Training Officer and Wing Academics Operations Officer with the 56th Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill AFB, Florida, from June 1974 to July 1977, followed by Air War College at Maxwell AFB from July 1977 to June 1978. His final assignment was as Chief of the Reports Division and Assistant Director of Operational Support for the 4441st Tactical Training Group at the U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Warfare Center at Eglin AFB, Florida, from June 1978 until his retirement from the Air Force on July 1, 1979.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
  • Bronze Star
  • Bronze Star
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release