This Military Service Page was created/owned by
AB Raymond Guinn
to remember
Bagley, Bobby Ray, Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Cumming
Last Address South Carolina
Date of Passing Dec 06, 1997
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Maj Bagley volunteered to fly combat missions and was stationed with the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from June 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam on September 16, 1967. Bagley was immediately captured and was taken as a Prisoner of War. After spending 2,007 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. Col Bagley was hospitalized for a short time because of his injuries.
Other Comments:
His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:
Major Bobby R. Bagley distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Son La, North Vietnam, on 16 September 1967. On that date, Major Bagley was assigned as wingman in a flight of two unarmed and unescorted RF-101 aircraft on a post strike photographic reconnaissance mission against the Northwest Railroad. He displayed unprecedented bravery when, on egress, he was hit by air to air missiles, but continued giving his leader warning information at a time when his own aircraft was completely disabled and on fire. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Bagley has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
The 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (17 RS) is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 57th Operations Group, and stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada.
The 17th RS conducts intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operating the flies MQ-1 Predator UAV.
History
Established as a photo-reconnaissance squadron in mid-1942, trained under Second Air Force in Colorado, equipped with very-long range F-5 (P-38 Lightning) reconnaissance aircraft Deployed to the South Pacific Area, assigned to Thirteenth Air Force. Flew hazardous unarmed reconnaissance missions over enemy-held territory in Guadalcanal; New Guinea; Northern Solomon Islands; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Central Burma and southeast China. Inactivated in the Philippines, April 1946.
Reactivated at Shaw AFB, South Carolina in 1951 as a photo-reconnaissance training squadron. Equipped with several reconnaissance aircraft during the 1950s, deploying to NATO in 1959 with the RF-101C Voodoo. Operated from France until 1966, moving to RAF Upper Heyford, England. Remained in England until 1970, moved to West Germany and re-equipped with RF-4C Phantom II aircraft. Remained at Zweibrücken AB until 1979 when inactivated due to budget reductions.
