Edwin Atterberry enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1952, before subsequently entering service in the U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadet Program. He was shot down while piloting an RF-4C reconnaissance aircraft near Gia Lam North Vietnam, on August 12, 1967. Held at the Cu Loc camp (“The Zoo”) on the outskirts of Hanoi, he escaped with fellow POW John Dramesi on May 10, 1968, but both men were subsequently recaptured. Colonel Atterberry died, it is believed, from torture sessions following his recapture. His remains were recovered and returned on March 13, 1974.