TFH 11/5: Lieutenant Colonel Earl G. Cobeil, USAF

Earl Glenn Cobeil hailed from Pontiac, Michigan and was born on August 29, 1934. He flew the Republic F-105 Thunderchief for the United States Air Force and was shot down over Vietnam forty-five years ago today on November 5, 1967.  Cobeil was injured when he bailed out and was captured by the North Vietnamese. For three years he survived under torture and interrogation by both the North Vietnamese and their communist Cuban allies who had sent intelligence officers to Vietnam to collaborate in the torment.

He survived for three years in captivity until losing his life on or about November 5, 1970. Contemporaneous accounts from his fellow POWs indicate that his conduct in captivity was incredible for its indomitable courage. The Air Force posthumously awarded him their second-highest decoration: the Air Force Cross.


From Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel Earl Glenn Cobeil (AFSN: 0-61453A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 5 November 1967 until his death while still in captivity on or about 5 November 1970. During this period, Lieutenant Colonel Cobeil demonstrated his extremely strong personal fortitude and maximum persistence in the face of severe enemy harassment and torture, suffering critical injuries and wounds. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower, in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Cobeil reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

He also received the Silver Star for the mission during which he was shot down.

Cobeil's remains were repatriated to the United States on March 6, 1974 and identified about a month later. He rests today in peace with thousands of other Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in the facesof the enemies of liberty in Arlington National Cemetery.

The unit that Cobeil flew with, the 333rd Fighter Squadron, is today part of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. They fly into battle with the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle.