TRAUTMAN, KONRAD W.

Name: Konrad W. Trautman
Rank/Branch: United States Air Force/O3
Unit:
Date of Birth: 15 March 1927
Home City of Record: Oberlin PA
Date of Loss: 05 October 1967
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates:
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F105D
Missions:
Flew 20 F 86 mission in Korean Conflict
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: 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).
UPDATE - 09/95 by the P.O.W. NETWORK, Skidmore, MO

KONRAD W. TRAUTMAN
Major - United States Air Force
Shot Down: October 5, 1967
Released: March 14, 1973

Hi! I was born March 18, 1927 in Oberlin, Pennsylvania (near Harrisburg).
Mom and Dad were immigrants from the "old country," and I cherish my German
ancestry. As a child the joy of flying caught my heart and it was "love at
first sight." On March 18, 1944, I enlisted in the Army Air Corps Reserve
as an Aviation Cadet. That summer, between washing and gassing up planes at
the local airport, I soloed and earned my Private Pilot's License.

June 20, 1945, I entered active duty, but the pilot training program was
terminated. Then, as a G.l. I was stationed in the United States, Alaska,
and Germany. In the fall of 1948 I again enlisted in Aviation Cadets for
pilot training. March of 1949 I reported to Randolph Field, Texas for
Primary/Basic Training flying the T-6, then to Advanced Training at Las
Vegas, Nevada flying the P-51D "Mustang." In March 1950 I received my "bars
and wings."

Off to Neubiberg Air Base, Germany (near Munich) with the 86th
Fighter-Bomber Wing flying the P-47N, the F-84E, and the F-86F Sabrejet,
with 90 days TDY to Taegu, Korea, flying 20 combat missions in the F-84E.
July 1953 I returned stateside and with mixed emotions, I decided to leave
the Air Force in November.

In July 1954, I married Angela, and soon lovely Diane became our new joy. I
became active in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard flying the old
"Mustang." But civilian life was not for me and in August 1955 I was
voluntarily recalled to active duty and assigned to the 1737th Ferry
Squadron at Dover AFB, Delaware. While there in December 1957, another man
entered the family, a large 9 lb. son, Konnie, " joined up" to make our
family a "flight of four." Subsequent assignments at Olmstead AFB,
Pennsylvania (1958 to 1959); Clark AB, Philippines until July 1961; then 4
years at Custer AFS, Battle Creek, Michigan. In July 1965 I was assigned to
a GCI (radar site) in Fort Yukon, Alaska. After a one year remote tour I was
reassigned to South East Asia. So it's off to Koran RTAFB, Thailand, via
F-105D "Thunderchief" training school at McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kansas.

I arrived at Korat in May 1967. While on a bombing mission, not far from
Hanoi, on October 5, 1967 (my 62nd mission), my aircraft was hit by flak. In
minutes I ejected and was captured within 15 minutes. That night I "checked
in" to the infamous Hanoi Hilton.

Many ask, "How did you hold on?" For me, the answer was Faith - Faith in my
country, my President and Faith in God, knowing that He was there sharing my
grief and sorrow and providing me strength.

My future plans are uncertain. Diane, now 18 years old, will enter Penn
State this fall to study Veterinary Medicine. Konnie, 15, is in the Civil
Air Patrol Cadets and is setting his sights on entering college. Angela has
been an active "barnstormer" in behalf of the POW/MIA effort. I am very
thankful for having such a courageous and loyal family.

On the lighter side, I enjoy beer, sip scotch and a martini or so, puff away
at Webster "Fancy Tales" and am a soft touch at "sing-a-long" fighter pilot
songs.

In closing - Be thankful and proud you are an American. To the youth of
America - trust and respect your parents, teachers, and minister, priest or
rabbi. To Mr. and Mrs. America - trust and respect your President of your
great country.

December 1996
Konrad Trautman retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel. He
and his wife Angela reside in North carolina.

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