Between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day lies a lesser-known but no less important commemoration. POW/MIA Day, Sept. 15, is a day for remembering the men and women who, like Air Force Col. Vernon P. Ligon Jr., have suffered at the hands of a wartime enemy. All too often, those who become prisoners of war or who are reported missing in action never come home. But Ligon survived captivity and returned — not only once, but three times from three separate wars.
Ligon was born, raised, and educated in Kentucky and began his military career in March 1942 with the Army Air Corps. During his assignment as a P-47 fighter pilot with the 362nd Fighter Group, he was shot down over Brussels after 35 missions. Ligon was captured and interned in several different German prison camps, including the notorious Stalagluft III. During a forced march, he escaped but was recaptured and taken to a camp near Mosseburg. He was finally released in April 1945.
