Joseph Charles “Charlie” Plumb Jr.
Joseph Charles “Charlie” Plumb Jr. | |
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| Born | November 3, 1942 Gary, Indiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation |
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| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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| Military career | |
| United States Navy | |
| Years of service | 1960 - 1991 |
| Awards |
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| Website | charlieplumb |
Joseph Charles "Charlie" Plumb Jr. (born November 3, 1942) is an American former navy fighter pilot, Vietnam prisoner of war, author, and motivational speaker who is known for his experience as a POW.[1] Plumb completed 74 successful combat missions and was shot down during his 75th mission on Ho Chi Minh’s birthday, May 19, 1967.[2] He was subsequently held as a prisoner of war by the North Vietnamese for five years and nine months. Plumb returned home as a repatriated POW in February 1973 and retired as a navy captain in 1991.[3]
Shortly thereafter, Plumb became a motivational speaker sharing his experience and story as a former POW. He titled his story "the triumph of an ordinary man" and authored two books, "I'm No Hero" and "The Last Domino."[4]
Early life and education
Plumb Jr. was born on November 3, 1942, in Gary, Indiana, and was raised in a three-room home in rural Kansas. His father, Joseph Charles Plumb, Sr., was a carpenter, and his mom was a homemaker. The family moved to Overland Park, a Kansas City suburb, in 1956. He attended elementary school in Lecompton, KS, and middle school at Milburn Jr. High. He graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, KS, in 1960.
Career
Plumb began his military career at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he graduated in 1964 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and was commissioned in the US Navy.[5] During the Vietnam War, he was assigned to fly the F-4 Phantom jet and unfortunately, on his 75th mission, his plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile.[6] He and his co-pilot were taken captive by the North Vietnamese.[7] Upon repatriation, after 2,103 days in captivity, Plumb continued his career in the US Naval Reserve until retiring in 1991.[8][9]
Bibliography
- I’m No Hero: A POW Story (January 1973)[10]
Awards & recognitions
- Plumb has received several awards and recognitions, including
- The Silver Star Award
- The Bronze Star Award
- Two Purple Hearts
- The Legion of Merit Award
- Prisoner of War Medal
In the media
References
- ↑ "Joseph Charles Plumb Jr.: (1942-) | Biography, Facts, Information, Career, Wiki, Life". peoplepill.com. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ↑ "Joseph Plumb - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ↑ Newspaper, The Loop. "Charlie Plumb – POW in Vietnam and Navy Hero". The Loop Newspaper. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ↑ "Bio, Plumb, Joseph C. "Charlie"". www.pownetwork.org. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ↑ "Veteran Tributes". veterantributes.org. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ↑ "Reflections on CAPT Plumb's US Navy Service". navy.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ↑ Baker, Bob (15 December 1985). "'Triumph of an Ordinary Man' : Ex-POW Resurrects Pain, Pathos to Motivate Others". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ↑ "#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Joseph Charles Plumb Jr. - VA News". news.va.gov. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ↑ Plumb, Charles; Plumb, Charles (1973). "I'm No Hero". military-history.fandom.com. Independence Press. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Charlie Plumb Books | List of books by author Charlie Plumb". ThriftBooks. Retrieved 21 March 2023.