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Speaker Series featuring POWs from the Vietnam War
January 23 at 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday, January 23
William Y Arcuri
Former American POW from the Vietnam War
6:00 PM – Reception
7:00 PM – Event Start
William Arcuri was born in Tallahassee, Florida and raised in an Air Force family. Bill attended the USAF Academy Preparatory School prior to attending West Point. Bill graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June 1970. He was commissioned a 2LT in the US Air Force and attended Graduate Pilot Training at Moody AFB, GA and received his Pilot wings in July 1971. He was assigned to the 744th Bomb Squadron, Beale AFB, CA as a SAC B52G Co-Pilot.
Bill flew the B52G from Andersen AFB, Guam in support of Line Backer I/II from May 1972 to December 1972. He was flying his 44th mission when his aircraft was shot down on December 20th, 1972 over Yin Ven, North Vietnam and captured and interned in the Hanoi Hilton. As a result of injuries, Bill was released in the first group of POWs on February 12, 1973.
Bill later upgraded to Aircraft Commander in the B52G and served as an Officer Controller in the SAC Command Post at Beale AFB. Bill left service in July 1976 and worked as a System Engineer/Project Manager for Ross Perot’s Companies until he retired in 2011.
Member Admission: $20
General Admission: $25