| Jack W. Bomar |
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| Rank, Service |
| Colonel O-6, U.S. Air Force |
| Veteran of: |
U.S. Navy 1944-1950 (Includes Reserve Time)
U.S. Air Force 1951-1974
World War II 1944-1945
Cold War 1945-1974
Vietnam War 1966-1973 (POW)
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| Tribute: |
Jack Bomar was born in 1926 in Flint, Michigan. He enlisted in the V-5 Program of the U.S. Navy on June 26, 1944, and went into the Navy Reserve on July 14, 1946. Jack obtained his private pilot's license in November 1946 and soon purchased a surplus Stearman Bi-Plane...the rest is history. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Naval Reserve on July 13, 1950, and he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on September 6, 1951. He was trained as a radar technician and helped build Strategic Air Command's Electronic Countermeasures Laboratory at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, before he received a direct commission in the Air Force in May 1953. Bomar was trained as a Navigator Bombardier and flew the RB-26 Invader, RB-57 Canberra, and RB-66 Destroyer, and later trained crew members on the B-47 Stratojet, B-52 Stratofortress, and F-105 Thunderchief. Major Bomar began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia in December 1966 with the 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand. His EB-66 was shot down over North Vietnam on February 4, 1967, and he was taken as a Prisoner of War. He spent the next 2,221 days in captivity, including being one of the unfortunate POWs that went through the Cuban Program, before being released during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973. After hospitalization, Colonel Bomar served with Pacific Air Forces at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, before retiring from the Air Force on February 28, 1974. Jack married the former Kay England of Anchorage, Alaska, and they had 6 children together; Mike (deceased), Sam, Mark, Billy, James, and Susan; and 7 grandchildren. Jack Bomar died on May 21, 2009.
His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:
Major Jack W. Bomar distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia on 4 February 1967. On that date, Major Bomar navigated an electronic countermeasures support aircraft into an extremely hazardous area to suppress radar controlled antiaircraft artillery and surface to air missiles in support of strike aircraft. Aware of the possibility of lethal missile sites and hostile aircraft in the area where poor radar returns and frequent course changes made navigation exceptionally difficult. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Bomar has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. |
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