Dengler's Daring Escape: The Plane He Flew To Freedom

Dieter Dengler was an American pilot in the Vietnam War. He studied aeronautics in college and began naval flight training in 1963, receiving his wings and a commission as an ensign in 1964. On 1 February 1966, he launched from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger in an A1H Skyraider as part of a four-aircraft interdiction mission near the border of Laos. His unit, VA-145, sailed to the South China Sea aboard the USS Ranger. Dengler was flying a clandestine mission into Laos when his single-engine Douglas A-1 Skyraider, or Spad, was shot down.

Dieter Dengler's flying career was brief

Dengler's interest in flying began when he was a child. During World War II, he saw an Allied fighter plane firing its guns as it flew through Wildberg, and he knew from that moment that he wanted to be a pilot. After seeing a call for pilots in an American magazine, he decided to travel to the United States. He studied aeronautics in college and began naval flight training in 1963, receiving his wings in 1964.

He flew an A1H Skyraider

Dieter Dengler flew an A1H Skyraider, also known as a "Spad". On February 1, 1966, Dengler flew the Skyraider as part of a four-aircraft interdiction mission near the border of Laos. The Skyraider was a single-engine aircraft, and Dengler's unit, VA-145, sailed to the South China Sea aboard the USS Ranger.

Dengler's flying career was brief, but he was a good pilot. He studied aeronautics in college and began naval flight training in 1963. After training in the Skyraider, he went on to an attack squadron. Dengler's Skyraider was shot down during a clandestine mission in Laos, but he managed to escape his captors and survive.

He was shot down over Laos

Dieter Dengler flew a Douglas A-1 Skyraider, or "Spad", when he was shot down over Laos. He was a good pilot, although his flying career was brief. On 1 February 1966, Dengler launched from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger as part of a four-aircraft interdiction mission near the border of Laos. His unit, VA-145, sailed to the South China Sea aboard the USS Ranger. Dengler was flying a clandestine mission into Laos on 2 February 1966 when his single-engine plane was shot down.

Although Laos was officially neutral, large chunks were held by the communist Pathet Lao, who were helping to supply the Viet Cong over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. It was Pathet Lao guerrillas who seized Dengler soon after he stumbled nearly unhurt from his Spad's crash landing. True to his Navy SERE training, Dengler escaped the Pathet Lao within days. They recaptured him 18 hours later, having tracked him to water.

He escaped his captors within days

Dieter Dengler was an American pilot in the Vietnam War. He flew a Douglas A-1 Skyraider, or "Spad", as part of a four-aircraft interdiction mission near the border of Laos. On February 1, 1966, he launched from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger.

Dengler's plane was hit by 57-mm anti-aircraft fire and he was captured by Pathet Lao guerrillas. He escaped his captors within days, but they recaptured him 18 hours later, having tracked him to water. Dengler's flying career was brief, but he is remembered for his daring escape from the POW camp in Laos.

He became a pilot after seeing an Allied fighter plane during World War II

Dieter Dengler was a pilot in the Vietnam War. He was shot down and captured while flying a Douglas A-1 Skyraider, or "Spad", over Laos in 1966. He escaped his captors, but was recaptured 18 hours later.

Dengler's flying career was brief, but he became a pilot after seeing an Allied fighter plane during World War II. He saw the plane firing its guns as it flew through Wildberg and decided in that moment that he wanted to fly. Years later, he saw a call for pilots in an American magazine and decided to travel to the United States. He hitched a ride to Hamburg, where he spent two weeks living on the street before leaving by ship to New York City.

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