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.