Charles Frederick Klusmann (September 7, 1933 – October 3, 2024) was an American military United States Navy combat pilot who was shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War and later escaped captivity.
Military career Shoot down, capture and escape Klusmann was a navy lieutenant (O-3) when he was shot down over the Plain of Jars, Laos () on June 6, 1964, flying an RF-8A Crusader aircraft from the VFP-63, . He was the first airman shot down and captured by the Pathet Lao and the first to escape three months later, on August 30. He was rescued two days later by CIA Officer Terrence Michael "Terry" Burke. This is notable because the United States government never negotiated for the release of any prisoners held in Laos, and so, not one American held in Laos at the end of the war was ever released (The only other American to be rescued after escape from captivity in Laos was Navy Lieutenant Dieter Dengler). By September 4, he was flown to San Diego, California and reunited with his wife.
Awards and decorations Klusmann's military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and Prisoner of War Medal.
Naval Aviator BadgeDistinguished Flying CrossPurple HeartMeritorious Service Medalw/ " gold starNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medalw/ " gold starCombat Action RibbonPrisoner of War MedalNational Defense Service Medalw/ " service starArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalVietnam Service Medalw/ " campaign starNavy Sea Service Deployment RibbonNavy and Marine Corps Overseas Service RibbonRepublic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citationw/ palm and frameVietnam Campaign Medal
His Distinguished Flying Cross citation reads:
Personal life, retirement and death Klusmann retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain in 1980. A father of two children and a grandfather of three, he retired to Pensacola, where he had undergone flight training in the Navy, in 1956. He died on October 3, 2024, at the age of 91.
See also
List of people from San Diego, California
U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War
References
External links - Story of the mission where Klusmann was shot down