Airman Second Class Richard Wayne Krauel (AFSN: 29017131), United States Air Force, was captured by communist forces after he was shot down over North Korea on 10 January 1953, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on 1 September 1953, during Operation Big Switch at the end of the war.
Sponsored by:
Richard
Wayne
Krauel
POW (Korea)
Home:
Centralia
,
Washington
Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Airman Second ClassBatallion:
372d Bombardment SquadronRegiment:
307th Bombardment WingDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Korea)Action Date:
January 10, 1953 – September 1, 1953
NARA Database: Repatriated Korean Conflict Prisoners of War, 7/5/1950 – 10/6/1954 -
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Master SergeantRegiment:
4133d Bombardment Wing (Provisional)Action Date:
December 29, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Master Sergeant Richard Wayne Krauel (AFSN: 29017131), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Fire Control Systems Operator on a B-052 combat aircrew assigned to the 4133d Bombardment Wing (Provisional), Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on 29 December 1967. On that date, Sergeant Krauel flew in the wave lead aircraft on a strike mission into the Demilitarized Zone in support of United States forces at Con Thien. He was frequently called upon to provide emergency bombing information to other aircraft under the most adverse conditions. His calm professionalism and outstanding airmanship enabled the crew to complete this vital mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Krauel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.