Former POW visits Laughlin simulators Published Jan. 26, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Nathan L. Maysonet 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A former prisoner of war and Silver Star medal recipient visited Laughlin's Flight Simulator Training Facility to take flight in a red carpet simulator here Jan. 20. Retired Lt. Col. Larry J. Chesley, who currently lives in San Antonio, Texas, traveled to Del Rio with some family to speak at a local church and visit a friend here at Laughlin. "We first met in October 1983 when I went to pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. We've stayed in contact off and on since then," said Stephen Moynihan, 47th Operations Group simulator instructor. Chesely, who has been working with the chaplain's office at Lackland AFB, Texas, and basic training, was asked to speak on behalf of POW day at a church in Del Rio, said Moynihan. Chesley asked if his son-in-law, grandson and himself could visit the base and get a simulator ride. "It was an honor to meet Lt. Col. Lucky Chesley and host him and his family here at Laughlin," said Col. Andrew Brabson, 47th Operations Group commander. "Lucky has seen and overcome much in his life and is an inspiration to others." Chesley's career in the Air Force began when he enlisted in June of 1956 and was trained as a teletype and crypto operator. He served for one tour before receiving an honorable discharge in June of 1960. While remaining in reserve status he completed college and entered the Air Force Officer Training School in November of 1963. He would go on to undergraduate pilot training and earn his wings in March of 1965. Before the year's end he would be in Thailand preparing to fly missions into Vietnam. "I volunteered to go," Chesley said. "I went with my wife's blessing." On April 16, 1966 Chesley was forced to eject when his F-4C Phantom II received damage from enemy fire while on a mission against a heavily defended target in North Vietnam. Flying dangerously low through difficult terrain and with poor visibility, Chesley turned his aircraft directly into the enemy fire in order to continue his attack. "I thought I was on a 'milk run' mission about 30 miles north of the demilitarized zone," he said. "This started my long stay in North Vietnam." Chesley was captured and taken prisoner and would spend the next 2,495 days in captivity at the Hanoi Hilton. He would not be released until Feb. 12, 1973, almost seven years after that fateful day. "I believe deeply in my religion," he said. "I knew that if I were ever called into war that no matter what would come or where I would go, I would be returned to my loved ones." His actions all those years ago of braving fire while pursuing his target and his devotion to duty earned him the Silver Star medal. "Unless you ask, you wouldn't know he'd earned a Silver Star," Moynihan said. "For four and a half years his family didn't know he was alive. He suffered torture and illness beyond what we can comprehend. He valiantly served his country so whatever recognition he earned was and is well deserved." Undaunted by his experiences Chesley remained in the Air Force continuing his education, serving as an instructor and eventually returning to flying status before retiring in 1982. Since then Chesley has kept busy, his days as a POW long past him. He has gone on to teach at several colleges and universities and has served as an Arizona State Senator. "Lt. Col. Chesley recognizes the blessings he's had in his life and the good things in others," said Moynihan. "Because he was a POW he saw the blessings and sufferings at the most primitive level, he feels blessed to have survived and this gives meaning to his life." Though Chesley's visit to Laughlin was simply a family outing for the men and women of Team XL, it is a chance to learn about a man that embodies the Air Force's core values. "Do not just do your duty," Chesley said. "Do more."