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Bonwit, Barry Lee

Date of birth:
May 13th, 1926
Nationality:
American

Biography

In the course of his career, Colonel Bonwitt has flown a total of 212 combat missions, 75 of which were staged over North Vietnam. Four of these missions were flown over Hanoi as part of Linebacker II Operations, in 1972. He has accrued over 7,700 flying hours in aircraft which include the B-36 , the A-26, the SA-16, the B-52, the B-29, and the B-17. Colonel Bonwit also gained Counterinsurgency experience in Southeast Asia, from December 1966 - January 1968.

He was in Saudi Arabia in the early 50's ferrying the King's harem anywhere they needed to go in SA-16s. He met his future wife there and married in Saudi Arabia.



His twin was a Nasal Radiator who flew F9F Panthers in Korea then flew for Pan-Am until retirement.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

1st bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

2nd bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

3rd bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

4th bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

1st Silver OLC (5 OLC's)
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

5th bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

6th bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

7th bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

8th bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

2nd silver OLC (10 OLC's)
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

9th bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

10th bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Period:
Vietnam War (1955-1975)

11th bronze OLC
Air Medal (AM)
Combat Readiness Medal
Period:
Vietnam War (1955-1975)

With 1960 device
Republic of Vietnam Vietnam Campaign Medal

Sources

  • Photo 1: Chris Bonwit
  • - Chris Bonwit

Photo