Kenneth North Kenneth Walter North ( May 29 , 1930 – September 21 , 2010 ) was a Brigadier General in the United States Air Force as well as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War . After his release , he commanded various units and was eventually promoted to general in 1982 . Biography . Early life . North was born on May 29 , 1930 in Rockville , Connecticut . After graduating from high school in 1949 , he attended the University of Connecticut . He earned a bachelor of science degree in 1953 . Military career . Upon graduation from the University of Connecticut , he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officers ' Training Corps program and was awarded his pilot wings in September 1954 . Following pilot training North served with the Air Defense Command at Truax Field , Wisconsin , until September 1956 . From there he was assigned to Itazuke Air Base , Japan , as an F - 100 Super Sabre pilot . In January 1961 he joined the 481st Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base , New Mexico , as a flight commander and later served as squadron operations officer . Vietnam . He was assigned to headquarters , Pacific Air Forces , Hickam Air Force Base , Hawaii , in May 1963 with the Command and Control Division . In October 1965 North joined the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base , Japan , as an F - 105 Thunderchief flight commander . The unit was redesignated the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron and transferred to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base , Thailand , in June 1966 . North flew 33 combat missions over North Vietnam before his F - 105D was downed by enemy fire in August 1966 . From then until his release in January 1973 , North was a prisoner of war in Hanoi , North Vietnam . Later career . Following his return to the United States , he entered the Naval War College , graduating in May 1974 . He was then assigned to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base , Florida , as assistant director of operations . From February 1976 to May 1978 , he served with the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base , Utah , first as deputy commander for operations and then as wing vice commander . In August 1978 North joined the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing , Torrejon Air Base , Spain , as vice commander and , in June 1979 , he took command of the wing . From June 1981 to August 1982 , he served as executive officer to the deputy commander in chief at Headquarters United States European Command , Stuttgart , Germany . North then moved to Hancock Field , New York , as commander of the 21st North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and the 21st Air Division . He assumed command of the 24th North American Aerospace Defense Command Region at Griffiss Air Force Base , New York , and the 24th Air Division in September 1983 . Retirement and death . He retired on October 1 , 1985 . He died on September 21 , 2010 of complications from Alzheimer ' s disease . Awards . North was a command pilot with more than 3 , 000 flying hours in tactical fighter aircraft . His military decorations and awards include the Silver Star , Defense Superior Service Medal , Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster , Distinguished Flying Cross , Bronze Star Medal with " V " device and two oak leaf clusters , Meritorious Service Medal , Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters , Air Force Commendation Medal , Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster and several unit citations .