CDR Henry James Bedinger is a Vietnam War Navy air force veteran from the world famous "Puking Dogs" of VF-143. He went down over Laos and was captured on November 22, 1969 by North Vietnamese Regular Army forces and was taken to the main prison of Hoa Lo. Jim was released in March of 1973 as part of Operation Homecoming. He was the only Naval Aviator captured in Laos and released as part of Operation Homecoming in 1973. CDR Bedinger retired from the Navy in 1989 with more than 24 years of active duty service. His personal military awards include the Legion of Merit with the Combat V, the Bronze Start with Combat V, Defense Meritorious Service medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Purple Hearts, the Air Combat Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, and numerous unit and campaign commendation medals. He and his wife Laura live in San Diego and have two sons, Daniel and William.