Veteran Tributes

Earl G. Cobeil

Rank, Service

Lt Col O-5, U.S. Air Force

Veteran of:

U.S. Air Force 1956-1970
Cold War 1956-1970
Vietnam War 1967-1970 (POW, Died in Captivity)

Tribute:

Earl Cobeil was born on August 29, 1934, in Pontiac, Michigan. He was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program on June 8, 1956. After completing Navigator and ECM Officer training, Cobeil served as aircrew aboard B-47 Stratojets and later the B-58 Hustler with Strategic Air Command. In order to get into combat in Vietnam, Capt Cobeil went through training to become an Electronic Warfare Officer on the F-105F Wild Weasel platform. He was forced to eject over North Vietnam on November 5, 1967, and became a Prisoner of War. During his time in captivity, Cobeil was promoted to the rank of Lt Col. He died while still being held as a POW on November 5, 1970. His remains were returned to the United States on March 6, 1974.

His Air Force Cross Citation reads:

The Air Force Cross is presented to Earl Glenn Cobeil, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 5 November 1967 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.