AYERS, TIMOTHY R.

Name: Timothy R. Ayres
Rank/Branch:O3/United States Air Force, pilot
Unit: 25th TFS
Date of Birth: 02 January 1945
Home City of Record: Houston TX
Date of Loss: 03 May 1972
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 170300 North 106570 East
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4E
Missions: 500+
Other Personnel in Incident:

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews.

REMARKS: 730328 RELEASED BY DRV

SOURCE: WE CAME HOME copyright 1977
Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret), Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor
P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Text is reproduced as found in the original publication (including date and
spelling errors).
UPDATE - 02/97 by the P.O.W. NETWORK, Skidmore, MO with material provided by
Timothy Ayres.

TIMOTHY R. AYRES
Captain - United States Air Force
Shot Down: May 3, 1972
Released: March 28, 1973
Others in Incident: Theodore Sienicki, Returnee

I was born 2 January 1945 in Los Angelas, CA.

It must have all started way back when, as a little boy, I was bitten by the
flying bug. From that time on I made it a goal to attend the USAF Academy
and then go on to pilot training. All went well except for a slight delay
for a year at the USAF Academy Prep School. The next year I did go to the
Academy and subsequently graduated in 1968 as an eager 2nd Lieutenant.
Another goal was then realized when I went to pilot training at Moody AFB in
Georgia where I earned my wings in 1969. From pilot training I proceeded to
0-2A training to become a Forward Air Controller (FAC). Completing my
training I was sent to Vietnam as a FAC working out of Quang Ngai, South
Vietnam.

In October 1970 after a year of extremely rewarding and fascinating flying,
I proceeded to George AFB in California for upgrading into the F-4 aircraft.
Once again, upon completion of this training, I was on my way back to
Southeast Asia; this time to Ubon, Thailand. I considered this tour the most
rewarding in my short military career. For eight months I flew missions
over Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam and later participated in the first
raids back to Hanoi in April, 1972. Shortly thereafter, on 3 May 1972,
while flying as a "FAST" FAC with the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron, we
were downed by anti-aircraft fire just north of the demilitarized zone. Our
460th mission was to find and determine if certain surface to air missile
(SAM) sites were occupied. Once we were hit, the aircraft caught on fire and
then the flight controls went limp. We ejected at this time. Capture came
shortly thereafter, and eventually we arrived in Hanoi to spend an eleven
month sojourn at the "Hanoi Hilton".

I was awarded 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the P.O.W. medal after my
release.

My future plans are to stay in the Air Force and I am most anxious to get
back in the cockpit. I dearly love flying, so I plan to stay as close to it
as I can in the future. Being a bachelor I also plan to stay in the States
for a few years and enjoy the good life. The future does indeed look bright.

Being a "short timer" in prison I have no horror stories to tell, but I do
take my hat off to the "old heads" who showed us the way to survive and
return with honor. I will always be indebted to them. My family has also
shown themselves to be strong under trying circumstances. I was listed as
MIA until December of 1972 which was difficult for my family. I'm proud to
say they handled themselves admirably.

To the people of America; I am truly humbled before you. You made it all
worthwhile once I walked down that ramp and you were waiting to accept us
with open arms and hearts. The overwhelming outpouring of emotion has been
so heart warming. The "silent majority" stood up, and the pride it roused in
me is beyond description. It just proves to me, that the American people
will be there when you need them. A sincere "Thank You" is in order and may
God Bless everyone of you.

February 1997
Timothy Ayres retired from the United States Air Force Reserve as a Lt.
Colonel in June of 1995. He and his wife Sharon reside in Texas, where he is
a pilot with a major airline. They have two daughters, Natasha and Tiffany.

---

Use your Browser's BACK function to return to the PREVIOUS page

---