WAGGONER, ROBERT FROST

Name: Robert Frost Waggoner
Rank/Branch: United States Air Force/O3
Unit:
Date of Birth:
Home City of Record: Steamboat Springs CO
Date of Loss: 12 September 1966
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 185200 North 1050800 East
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F105D
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident:
Refno:

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: 730304 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).

ROBERT F. WAGGONER
Major - United States Air Force
Shot Down: September 12, 1966
Released: March 4, 1973

I am from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I have two sons, Joe 13 and Kyler 11.
We have lived in Reno, Nevada, "The Biggest Little City in the World," and I
might add, "The Friendliest," since June 1969. I will be staying in the
United States Air Force. It is hoped my next assignment will be the Air War
College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

I entered the United States Air Force in April 1955 as an Aviation Cadet and
was commissioned 28 July 1956. I have served as a Fighter Interceptor Pilot,
Weapons Director in the Tactical Air Control System, Instructor Pilot, and
Tactical Fighter Pilot.

I was flying the F-105D out of Korat Air Base, Thailand, when on a routine
mission over North Vietnam on the morning of 12 September 1966, I was hit, I
believe, by a surface-to-air missile (SAM). My aircraft was burning and
tumbling out of control; however, shortly before impact with the ground, I
managed to eject. I landed in a rice paddy and was captured immediately. I
spent six years and six months in prison camps in or near Hanoi. I was
declared MIA upon being shot down and finally POW in August 1969.

In the long six and a half years sabbatical, a man has time to contemplate
his relationships with his God, his country, and his family. Our
relationship to this great and marvelous country is a most precious thing.
In today's society we hear a great deal about citizens' rights, freedom, you
do your thing and I'll do mine, etc., but little seems to be said about
citizens' responsibility. In my long hours of deliberation I have come to
believe that this must be the most crying need in our country today. The
responsibility to contribute to our country by becoming involved in
community affairs, civic organizations, PTA, and the political party of your
choice. And then, of course, your say in governing - the vote. However,
simply to vote is not enough, we must become an informed electorate.
Informed on city government, state and national affairs. They all affect us,
our lives, and our tax dollar.

We pay good money for our government and those charged with the
responsibility of making and enforcing our laws. They are our public
servants and our laws, let us support them. We have the greatest nation in
the world and our system, though not perfect, is the best yet devised by
man. But we, as citizens, have to make it work - not only for ourselves, but
for our children, their children and, yes, the world.

May God Bless America!

December 1996
Robert Waggoner retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel. he
and his wife Vicki reside in California.

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