Laos: On 18 May 1965, then Capt. David L. Hrdlicka was the pilot of the lead F105D in a flight of four conducting an early morning interdiction/strike mission. Capt. Hrdlicka made his attack run and then reported he had a fire warning light. David ejected, landed uninjured and was captured by Pathet Lao forces. Wartime reports from Pathet Lao defectors placed Capt. Hrdlicka in a cave in the Vieng Xai area of Sam Neua Province through at least 1966. Further, from the time of his capture, and for years afterward, US intelligence tracked David Hrdlicka through various cave complexes in the vicinity of Ban Nakay Teu and Ban Nakay Neua also located in northern Laos. Capt. Hrdlicka and other POWs were also seen and photographed by US spotter teams while being held in these caves. Some times he was alone, other times David Hrdlicka was being held with other well-documented POWs including Charles Shelton. David was photographed in captivity as late as 1969 by US intelligence/surveillance teams. He is not home yet.
563rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Airbase, Thailand