Hayden Lockhart

Hayden James Lockhart (born June 16, 1938) is a retired United States Air Force officer who is best known for being the first U.S. Air Force pilot to be shot down in North Vietnam.

Early life Lockhart was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1961 from the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Military career Early career Lockhart was originally stationed at Luke Air Force Base, where he attended Fighter Gunnery School.

Lockhart was commissioned a second lieutenant on June 7, 1961. He was assigned to the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying the North American F-100 Super Sabre. He arrived in Vietnam in 1964.

Vietnam shoot down

Display of captured US pilot and equipment at the Vinh city Military Museum, not far from where Lockhart's aircraft went down. Lockhart was shot down March 2, 1965, when he was forced to eject over North Vietnam. After his ejection he evaded capture until March 12, 1965.

“…By summer 1965, more than thirty American airmen had been killed or were presumed missing in action and a dozen had been captured, including the first Air Force POW, Lieutenant Hayden Lockhart. The Navy pilots in this group included Lieutenant Commanders Robert H Shumaker, Raymond Vohden and Lieutenants Phillip Butler and John McKamey…" Zoo Annex 1967; Camp Unity at Hỏa Lò Prison (also known as the Hanoi Hilton); Dogpatch (9 miles south of the Chinese border) May 1972; and Hỏa Lò prison again in January 1973.

On July 6, 1966, 52 US prisoners of war were taken on the March of Hanoi. and marched down the main street of Hanoi while angry crowds of people screamed, spat and threw objects at them. A photograph, (published in Look magazine in 1970) showed Lockhart supporting fellow prisoner of war, Phil Butler, who was dazed after being struck by a thrown bottle.

The prisoners supported each other and communicated using a tap code that Lockhart's fellow POW, Carlyle "Smitty" Harris, had learned in a survival school. He was released during "Operation Homecoming" on February 12, 1973.

USAF Command Pilot BadgeSilver StarLegion of MeritDistinguished Flying CrossBronze Star Medalwith Valor device and bronze oak leaf clusterPurple Heartwith bronze oak leaf clusterMeritorious Service MedalAir Medalwith bronze oak leaf clusterAir Force Outstanding Unit Awardwith two bronze oak leaf clustersPrisoner of War MedalCombat Readiness MedalNational Defense Service MedalArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalVietnam Service Medalwith three silver and one bronze campaign starsVietnam Service Medalwith bronze campaign star(second ribbon required for accouterment spacing)Air Force Longevity Service Awardwith four bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonRepublic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citationw/ Palm and FrameVietnam Campaign Medal

Silver Star citation

Lockhart Jr., Hayden J. Major, U.S. Air Force Prisoner of War, North Vietnam Date of Action: June 1, 1966

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