Wendell Reed (Ray) Alcorn was born on Nov. 23, 1939, near Snydersville, Pa.
He departed this world at the age of 80 on March 12, 2020.
Ray graduated from the Dayton Joint High School in 1957, followed by the Pennsylvania State University in 1961. He then entered Naval Aviation Pre-Flight School and began his thirty-year Navy career. Ray served in various aviation squadrons aboard several carriers and numerous shore commands. He primarily flew the A-4C Skyhawk and A-7 Corsair II.
Ray served in Command of Training Squadron 25 and Major Command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nev. Lt. Alcorn was forced to eject from his A4C Skyhawk 15 miles north-northeast of Haiphong, North Vietnam and taken as a Prisoner of War while flying his 29th combat mission on December 22, 1965. After spending 2,609 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on Feb. 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
In addition, as a Captain, he was head of the Tactical Air Training Branch of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare and served was Chief of Staff for Naval Air Training in Corpus Christi, Texas. His final Navy assignment was as Dean of Students at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He received his Masters of Strategic Planning and Development at the Naval War College, and his Masters of Business Management at Salve Regina College while in Newport.
For his military service he was awarded two Silver Stars for service in combat, the Navy Air Medal, threeBronze Stars with combat notation, and two Purple Hearts among other decorations.
Subsequently he worked for Squaw Valley Ski Corp., managed the Truckee California Airshow, and served as Commissioner for Veterans Affairs for the State of Nevada.
Ray Alcorn was predeceased by his parents Ruth Neil and John Alcorn. He is survived by his wife of almost 35 years, his brother, sister, and her husband, four nephews, one niece and several great-nephews and -nieces.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
For more see http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=330
His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Upon being captured in December 1965, his captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
He departed this world at the age of 80 on March 12, 2020.
Ray graduated from the Dayton Joint High School in 1957, followed by the Pennsylvania State University in 1961. He then entered Naval Aviation Pre-Flight School and began his thirty-year Navy career. Ray served in various aviation squadrons aboard several carriers and numerous shore commands. He primarily flew the A-4C Skyhawk and A-7 Corsair II.
Ray served in Command of Training Squadron 25 and Major Command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nev. Lt. Alcorn was forced to eject from his A4C Skyhawk 15 miles north-northeast of Haiphong, North Vietnam and taken as a Prisoner of War while flying his 29th combat mission on December 22, 1965. After spending 2,609 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on Feb. 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
In addition, as a Captain, he was head of the Tactical Air Training Branch of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare and served was Chief of Staff for Naval Air Training in Corpus Christi, Texas. His final Navy assignment was as Dean of Students at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He received his Masters of Strategic Planning and Development at the Naval War College, and his Masters of Business Management at Salve Regina College while in Newport.
For his military service he was awarded two Silver Stars for service in combat, the Navy Air Medal, threeBronze Stars with combat notation, and two Purple Hearts among other decorations.
Subsequently he worked for Squaw Valley Ski Corp., managed the Truckee California Airshow, and served as Commissioner for Veterans Affairs for the State of Nevada.
Ray Alcorn was predeceased by his parents Ruth Neil and John Alcorn. He is survived by his wife of almost 35 years, his brother, sister, and her husband, four nephews, one niece and several great-nephews and -nieces.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
For more see http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=330
His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Upon being captured in December 1965, his captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
Wendell Reed (Ray) Alcorn was born on Nov. 23, 1939, near Snydersville, Pa.
He departed this world at the age of 80 on March 12, 2020.
Ray graduated from the Dayton Joint High School in 1957, followed by the Pennsylvania State University in 1961. He then entered Naval Aviation Pre-Flight School and began his thirty-year Navy career. Ray served in various aviation squadrons aboard several carriers and numerous shore commands. He primarily flew the A-4C Skyhawk and A-7 Corsair II.
Ray served in Command of Training Squadron 25 and Major Command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nev. Lt. Alcorn was forced to eject from his A4C Skyhawk 15 miles north-northeast of Haiphong, North Vietnam and taken as a Prisoner of War while flying his 29th combat mission on December 22, 1965. After spending 2,609 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on Feb. 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
In addition, as a Captain, he was head of the Tactical Air Training Branch of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare and served was Chief of Staff for Naval Air Training in Corpus Christi, Texas. His final Navy assignment was as Dean of Students at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He received his Masters of Strategic Planning and Development at the Naval War College, and his Masters of Business Management at Salve Regina College while in Newport.
For his military service he was awarded two Silver Stars for service in combat, the Navy Air Medal, threeBronze Stars with combat notation, and two Purple Hearts among other decorations.
Subsequently he worked for Squaw Valley Ski Corp., managed the Truckee California Airshow, and served as Commissioner for Veterans Affairs for the State of Nevada.
Ray Alcorn was predeceased by his parents Ruth Neil and John Alcorn. He is survived by his wife of almost 35 years, his brother, sister, and her husband, four nephews, one niece and several great-nephews and -nieces.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
For more see http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=330
His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Upon being captured in December 1965, his captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
He departed this world at the age of 80 on March 12, 2020.
Ray graduated from the Dayton Joint High School in 1957, followed by the Pennsylvania State University in 1961. He then entered Naval Aviation Pre-Flight School and began his thirty-year Navy career. Ray served in various aviation squadrons aboard several carriers and numerous shore commands. He primarily flew the A-4C Skyhawk and A-7 Corsair II.
Ray served in Command of Training Squadron 25 and Major Command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nev. Lt. Alcorn was forced to eject from his A4C Skyhawk 15 miles north-northeast of Haiphong, North Vietnam and taken as a Prisoner of War while flying his 29th combat mission on December 22, 1965. After spending 2,609 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on Feb. 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
In addition, as a Captain, he was head of the Tactical Air Training Branch of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare and served was Chief of Staff for Naval Air Training in Corpus Christi, Texas. His final Navy assignment was as Dean of Students at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He received his Masters of Strategic Planning and Development at the Naval War College, and his Masters of Business Management at Salve Regina College while in Newport.
For his military service he was awarded two Silver Stars for service in combat, the Navy Air Medal, threeBronze Stars with combat notation, and two Purple Hearts among other decorations.
Subsequently he worked for Squaw Valley Ski Corp., managed the Truckee California Airshow, and served as Commissioner for Veterans Affairs for the State of Nevada.
Ray Alcorn was predeceased by his parents Ruth Neil and John Alcorn. He is survived by his wife of almost 35 years, his brother, sister, and her husband, four nephews, one niece and several great-nephews and -nieces.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
For more see http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=330
His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Upon being captured in December 1965, his captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
Inscription
CAPT US NAVY
VIETNAM
SS & GS
LM W/V & 3 GS
DFC
BSM W/V & 2 GS
PH & GS AM POW
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