About the Author
John Lowell Stiles
John Lowell Stiles grew up as an Air Force “brat”, living all over the United States and in several foreign countries. John believes the military lifestyle of his early years directly influenced his adaptability in complex situations and with diverse populations.
After graduating from the University of Hawaii, John immediately entered the Air Force through Officer Training School in 1969 and received his commission. As a brand-new second lieutenant, John returned to Hawaii long enough to marry his college sweetheart, Barbara Rhode.
Navigator training followed at Mather AFB, Sacramento, California, where John graduated near the top of his class—selecting the RF-4 Phantom as his follow-on choice of aircraft. An assignment at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, paved the way for flying the RF-4 aircraft in Southeast Asia. He flew 201 combat missions during the Viet Nam War; was shot down on his 133rd mission but survived the ordeal. John’s tour of duty at Udorn RTAF, Thailand, and his subsequent story of air combat and survival are the nexus for this memoir.
Before retiring from the Air Force in 1993, John spent 24 years flying various models of the F-4. He served his country through five more foreign tours including two liaison tours where he was the USAF exchange officer imbedded with the Army’s 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in Kitzingen, Germany, and the other with the Navy aboard USS Blue Ridge in the Pacific out of Yokosuka, Japan.
After his retirement from the Air Force, John became a financial adviser helping military members become financially independent. In 2001, he earned his second Master’s Degree which was followed by a Doctorate in Education from East Carolina University. He then turned his attention to helping develop the Wayne Community College Early/Middle College High School program.
In 2011, John joined Dan Cherry (USAF, Ret.) in a presentation tour of “Double Full Circle”, the story of how Dan shot down a MiG-21 near Hanoi, North Viet Nam in April 1972. The Mig was flown by a Vietnamese pilot named Nguyen Hong My. Thirty-six years later, Dan Cherry and Hong My met publicly in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During their meeting, Hong My explained how he had shot down an RF-4 in January 1972, and he would like to reunite with the crew if they had survived. Soon all three warriors (Dan Cherry, Hong My, and John Stiles) began touring the U.S.—captivating audiences with their heartwarming saga of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Today, John is retired from his third career. He still surfs, plays pickle ball, and practices yoga. He is also the lead brewer for the Vertical Ale home brewery.
He and his wife, Barbara, live in Goldsboro, North Carolina. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.
A Year Flying Combat in Southeast Asia with a Recce WSO
