Toop
Ronald  E.  Storz  
Photo
Ribbons
 
  Rank, Service
Lieutenant Colonel O-5,  U.S. Air Force
  Veteran of:
U.S. Air Force 1952-1970
Cold War 1952-1970
Vietnam War 1964-1970 (POW, Died in Captivity)
  Tribute:

Ron Storz was born on October 21, 1933, in New York City. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 12, 1952, and entered the Aviation Cadet Program for Navigator/Aviation Observer training on March 27, 1954. Storz was commissioned a 2d Lt in the Air Force and was awarded his Navigator Wings on August 9, 1955, and then attended B-47 Stratojet Combat Crew Training before serving as a B-47 Navigator with the 349th Bomb Squadron at Portsmouth AFB, New Hampshire, from May 1956 to October 1957, and the 351st Bomb Squadron at Pease AFB, New Hampshire, from October 1957 to March 1959. Lt Storz was then accepted for pilot training, and was awarded his pilot wings at Webb AFB, Texas, in March 1960. After completing Pilot Instructor Training, Capt Storz served as an instructor pilot with the 3561st Pilot Training Squadron at Webb AFB from July 1960 to April 1963, followed by service as a training officer with the 3561st Student Squadron at Webb AFB from April 1963 to September 1964. He then attended O-1 Bird Dog Forward Air Controller (FAC) training at Eglin AFB, Florida, before deploying to Southeast Asia in November 1964. Capt Storz served as an O-1 FAC with the 33rd Air Base Squadron at Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam, from November 1964 until his aircraft crashed and he was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on April 28, 1965. He died in captivity on April 23, 1970, and his remains were returned to the United States on March 6, 1974. Ron Storz was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His Air Force Cross Citation reads:

The Air Force Cross is presented to Ronald Edward Storz, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1967 to April 1970. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower, in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Storz reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  


Prisoner of War, North Vietnam
28 April 1965 - 23 April 1970

 


 

 
Contact Veteran Tributes at info@veterantributes.org


 

 
Contact Veteran Tributes at info@veterantributes.org