Dieter Dengler
Dieter Dengler (May 22, 1938 – February 7, 2001) was a German-born United States Navy aviator who was shot down over Laos and captured during the Vietnam War. After six months of imprisonment and torture, and 23 days on the run, he became only the second captured US airman to escape during the war. Of the seven prisoners of war who escaped together from the Pathet Lao prison camp in Laos, only he and Thai citizen Phisit Intharathat survived. After the war, he worked as a test pilot for private aircraft and as a commercial airline pilot.
Dieter Dengler | |
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Dieter Dengler tours the aircraft carrier USS Constellation in San Diego, California, on December 1, 1996. | |
| Birth name | Dieter Dengler |
| Born | May 22, 1938 Wildberg, Württemberg, Germany |
| Died | February 7, 2001 (aged 62) Mill Valley, California, United States |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Air Force United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1957–1968 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Attack Squadron 145, USS Ranger (CV-61) |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War
|
| Awards | Navy Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Purple Heart Air Medal Navy Unit Commendation Prisoner of War Medal |
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