MECHENBIER, EDWARD JOHN
Name: Edward John Mechenbier Rank/Branch: O2/United States Air Force, pilot Unit: 390th TFS Date of Birth: 29 June 1942 Home City of Record: Dayton OH Date of Loss: 14 June 1967 Country of Loss: North Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 212300 North 1063700 East Status (in 1973): Returnee Category: Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4C Missions: 79 North Vietnam 113 Total Other Personnel in Incident: Kevin McManus, Returnee
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. 2008.
REMARKS: 730218 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 Edward Mechenbier.
EDWARD J. MECHENBIER Captain - United States Air Force Shot Down: June 14, 1967 Released: February 18, 1973
I was born on 29 June 1942 in Morgantown, WV.
I entered the Air Force in June 1960 when I entered the Air Force Academy and was commissioned in June 1964. I married Jerri Klein of Dayton and, after pilot training at Vance AFB, was assigned to an F-4C squadron in England. After upgrading locally I was assigned to the 390th TFS at Da Nang in December 1966.
On 14 June 1967 I went down on a strike mission on the northeast railroad near Kep. Kevin Mcmanus was my backseater. I spent 5 yrs, 8 months and 4 days in captivity (but who's counting). During ejection and captivity, I suffered from crushed vertebrae, dislocated shoulders and broken teeth.
My message: I can forget my years of imprisonment. I can return to a normal life. But what about the young man who lost an arm, a leg or suffers the effects of a bullet wound in the stomach. He can never forget. Two and a half million Americans served in Vietnam, many of them are now in hospitals or are seriously handicapped. Nor can the mother, wife or child of an MIA forget. I join you in a prayer of thanksgiving for return of the POWs and hope for the MlAs. For a wonderful welcome home and years of support, thank you very much and may God bless every living one of you.
Mechenbier was awarded two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze star with V, two Purple Hearts, Meritorious Service Medal, 9 Air medals and the P.O.W. medal. He separated from the Air Force in June of 1975. He flew F-100 and A-7's for the Air National Guard until 1991, and currently a Brigadier General in the Air Force Reserves serving as the Mobilization Assistant to the Commande, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB. He also is a partner in a television production company, and in his free time, he enjoys "golf, golf, golf." He and his wife Jerri reside in Ohio. They have four children.
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NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense
No. 364-01 (703)695-0192(media) IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2001 (703)697-5737(public/industry)
MECHENBIER APPOINTED TO RESERVE FORCES POLICY BOARD
The Department of Defense announced today the designation of Air Force Reserve Maj. Gen. Edward J. Mechenbier as a member of the Reserve Forces Policy Board, effective Oct. 1, 2001.
Congress created the 24-member board in 1952.
Acting through the assistant secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, the board serves as the principal policy advisor to the secretary of Defense on military reserve force matters.
Members include the assistant secretary responsible for reserve affairs from each of the military departments, and active and reserve component general and flag officers representing all Services, including the Coast Guard.
Mechenbier currently serves as the mobilization assistant to the commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. -END
01/26/2002 11:37 PM -0500
I am now a Major General in the reserve serving as the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Air Force Material Command and Member of the Reserve Forces Policy Board for SecDef Rumsfeld.
EM
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