Original U.S. Vietnam War Prisoner of War Grouping with Operation Homecoming North Vietnamese-Issued Jacket, Distinguished Flying Cross & Bronze Star Award Certificates, and Outstanding Ephemera - B-52 Gunner Staff Sergeant James Leon Lollar

Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Grouping. We have had some outstanding material in the past to Prisoners of War during World War I and World War II, but it is extremely rare that we are able to offer material to a Prisoner of War during the Vietnam War. This extensive Award Certificate, Operation Homecoming Jacket, and ephemera grouping details the service of Staff Sergeant James Leon Lollar, whose B52 bomber was shot down over North Vietnam on December 21st, 1972. He remained in captivity for 98 days before being released during Operation Homecoming on March 29, 1973. It is noteworthy that while over 120,000 American POWs during World War II, during the Vietnam War there were only roughly 766. 

This outstanding grouping includes:

- North Vietnamese-issued Gray jacket issued to POWs just before their release as a propaganda tactic to show they were being treated well. The jacket is void of any insignia or marking. The zipper is marked Wico. There is some staining to the rear. These jackets are nearly impossible to find.  
- 80+ photographs taken during a trip to POW Camps in Vietnam years after the war, likely taken by Lollar while revisiting where he’d been held captive. 
- Lollar’s Distinguished Flying Cross Award Certificate for actions on December 20th, 1972, awarded on March 27th, 1973. 
- Lollar’s Citation to Accompany the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster). The citation reads: Staff Sergeant James L. Lollar distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a B-52G Fire Control Operator near Quang Tri, South Vietnam on 17 December 1972.On that date,Sergeant Lollar was lead Fire Control Operator of a three-ship B-52 cell. Due to equipment malfunctions,Sergeant Loller had to direct the other aircraft to the target area using his Fire Control System. Despite violent evasive maneuvers necessitated by accurate antiaircraft fire from the ground, Sergeant Lollar successfully directed the aircraft to their assigned target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Lollar reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
- Lollar’s Bronze Star medal certificate for actions from December 1972 to March 1973, awarded on September 25th, 1974. 
- Lollar’s Air Medal certificate for actions from August 19th, 1972 to October 13th, 1972 awarded on November 24th, 1972. 
- Lollar’s Purple Heart Medal certificate awarded for wounds received on December 21st, 1972, awarded on April 30th, 1973.
- Studio Portrait of Lollar in uniform with detached board that it was attached to. Shows him with his medals and Aircrew wings. The photo itself measures 7 x 9 ¼”.
- Six reproduction veteran’s patches having been torn off of a jacket worn by Lollar during his Veteran’s years including a B-52 gunner patch, Strategic air command patch, Operating Homecoming patch, God Bless American Operation Homecoming patch, B52 Stratofortress patch, and 4th Allied POW Wing patch. Some great pieces for display!
- Two photos of Lollar shaking hands with people at a dinner party. 
- American National Red Cross stationary and envelopes, with a Missing? ALIVE! POW Offices booklet. 
- Several bits of POW ephemera including MIA bumper stickers, magazines, newspapers. 
- Copy of “CHAINED EAGLE” by Everett Alvarez Jr. and Anthony S. Pitch. 308 pages. 
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- Lollar’s General Discharge certificate dated January 22nd, 1982 when he was a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Force. 

James Leon Lollar was born in 1945 in Kilmichael, Mississippi and passed away 14 August 2018 in West Towakoni, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on March 26, 1967, and was trained in Weapons Maintenance. He served a double-tour at Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam, first in aircraft armament, and then as a door-gunner from August 1967 to August 1969. After an assignment with NATO, Sgt Lollar went through flight training to become a B-52 tail-gunner. He flew combat missions from Kadena AB, Okinawa, Utapao Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, and Andersen AFB, Guam, from July 1972 until his aircraft was shot down over North Vietnam on December 21, 1972. Sgt Lollar was taken as a Prisoner of War by the North Vietnamese and spent the next 98 days in captivity before being released during Operation Homecoming on March 29, 1973. After returning from Vietnam, Sgt Lollar completed his degree and was commissioned through Officer Training School in March 1977. Lt Lollar was next assigned to the Air Force Audit Agency at MacDill AFB, Florida, and then served with Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Division in contract procurement at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Capt Lollar left the Air Force on January 22, 1982, and started a carpentry company building homes.

This is an outstanding grouping that will become a centerpiece of any Vietnam War collection.

Approximate Measurements
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 23”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17"
Chest width: 21”Waist: 20"
Hip: 20"
Front length: 28"