Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Earl
Glenn
Cobeil
POW (RVN) KIA
August 29, 1934

–

November 5, 1970

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Earl Cobeil received his commission through the Air Force ROTC program. During the Vietnam War he was captured after his F-105 was shot down on November 5, 1967, and he was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. In 1968 Cuban interrogators working with the North Vietnamese chose Lieutenant Colonel Cobeil for an experimental re-programming for possible early release as a Communist sympathizer. When Cobeil resisted this programming, he was repeatedly beaten, tied, and tortured, sometimes around the clock. He reportedly died of these injuries on or about November 5, 1970. His remains were identified and returned to the United States on March 6, 1974.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1967 – November 5, 1970

    Captain Earl Glenn Cobeil (AFSN: 0-61453A), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 5, 1967 until his death in captivity on or about November 5, 1970.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    333d Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1967
    7th Air Force, Special Order G-227 (January 19, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Earl Glenn Cobeil (AFSN: 0-61453A), United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 333d Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Phuc Yen, Republic of Vietnam, on 5 November 1967. On that date, Captain Cobeil was the Electronic Warfare Officer of an F-105F fighter bomber as part of a flight force directed to attack a vital airfield of hostile forces. In spite of severe battle damage to his aircraft he elected to remain in the target area to deliver his ordnance against a surface-to-air missile site which threatened the egressing main strike force. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Cobeil has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1967 – November 5, 1970

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) to Captain Earl Glenn Cobeil (AFSN: 0-61453A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 5 November 1967 to 5 November 1970. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1967 – November 5, 1970

    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 1970 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.