Name: Read Blaine Mecleary
Rank/Branch: O2/United States Navy, pilot
Unit: VA 93
Date of Birth: 07 April 1942
Home City of Record: Old Greenwich CT
Date of Loss: 26 May 1967
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 212700N 106310E
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A4E, #152022
Missions: 56
Refno: 0710
Other Personnel in Incident: none
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, personal interviews. 2023
REMARKS: 730304 RELEASED BY DRV
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Reflecting on his homecoming, Mecleary says he was "glad it was finally
over." He was "proud of fellow POWs and our leadership." Captivity gave him
"a greater appreciation for life and for the USA and all of its freedoms and
wonders."
Read Mecleary left active duty as a Navy Captain in 1976. He continued in the
Naval Reserves, flying with VR-57. He was the Commanding Officer for North
Island from May 1983 to November 1984. He retired as an O-6 Captain in 1987.
He joined a major airline after he left active duty, and he is now
upgrading to Captain, flying 767's.
Read and his wife Margie have one son. Margie has been a flight attendant
for 32+ years. They reside in California.
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