MOBLEY, JOSEPH SCOTT
Name: Joseph Scott Mobley
Rank/Branch: United States Navy/O2
Unit:
Date of Birth: 16 October 1941 Indianapolis IN
Home City of Record: Manhattan Beach CA
Date of Loss: 24 June 1968
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 183700 North 1053900 East (Nghe An near Vinh)
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A6A
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident: Nicholas Carpenter, remains returned 1989
Refno: 1214
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: 730314 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).
JOSEPH S. MOBLEY
Lieutenant- United States Navy
Shot Down: June 24, 1968
Released: March 14, 1973
I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 16, 1941. I was baptized and
served as an acolyte in the Episcopal Church, served as a page in the
Indiana House of Representatives, and was active as a Cub Scout.
My family (mother, father, younger brother and myself moved to Manhattan
Beach, California in 1951. There I attended elementary schools and graduated
from Aviation High School in Redondo Beach in 1960 where I was a member of
the cross country and track teams and president of the Letterman's Club.
After attending El Camino College for two years, I received an appointment
to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in 1966. After
Flight Officer training, I received my Wings and orders for Vietnam, leaving
here in January 1968.
On June 24, 1968, while flying as a bombadier-navigator in an A6A Intruder
based aboard the USS Enterprise, the plane was hit at low altitude by AAA
near the North Vietnamese city of Vinh. I was flying with Lt. Nick Carpenter
who is still listed as MIA. I was carried as MIA until August 1969 at which
time the Navy received word that I was a prisoner in North Vietnam. This
status I kept until I was released in March 1973.
My future plans at this time are to remain in the Navy and to continue my
education.
Upon my arrival at NAS, Miramar on March 18, 1973, I spoke these words which
I would like to again repeat: "It is a very emotional experience for a man
to return to his country and his people after so many years of absence.
There are no words which can express my feelings at this time, but I know
you will understand if I simply say it's good to be home. God bless America
and God bless all of you wonderful people."
Editor's Note:
Although he suffered a broken leg upon shoot down, Lt. Mobley was tied,
standing, to a pillar, was beaten, interrogated, displayed for public
humiliation, and forced to dodge bricks and bamboo sticks for eight or nine
hours. He was then put into a cell and after waiting many long agonizing
hours for medical attention for his broken leg, he set the bone himself.
Later his captors applied a splint. Months of solitary confinement and
intermittent torture and interrogation sessions continued over the five
years of his imprisonment. He is six foot one and during captivity his
weight dropped to 120 pounds.
Joseph Mobley is a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He is stationed
in Hawaii with his wife Mary.
Jun 30 08:38:41 1998
Subject: RADM Joe Mobley
FLAG OFFICER ANNOUNCEMENT
Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen announced today that the President
has nominated Rear Adm. Joseph S. Mobley, U.S. Navy, for appointment to the
grade of vice admiral and assignment as commander, Naval Air Force, U.S.
Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, Va. Mobley is currently serving as director for
operations, J-3, U.S. Pacific Command, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mobley was born Oct. 16, 1941, Indianapolis, Ind.
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