#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Ivan Hager

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Ivan Hager, who served as a navigator during the Vietnam War and received two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Ivan Hager enlisted in the Air Force in 1952. He completed basic training at Parks Air Force Base, now called Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, in California. Hager also finished elementary electronics training and case systems mechanic training at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. He qualified for Aviation Cadet Training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Hager went through Navigator School at Harlingen Air Force Base in Texas and spent two years there.

The Air Force assigned him to James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Texas. While in Waco, Hager met his future wife; he married her in 1955 after completing further training. The Air Force then sent Hager to Moody Air Force Base for flight training for six months.

Hager’s first assignment was with the 29^th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Montana. He enjoyed the long winters there because he had the opportunity to get to know his fellow service members while sheltering indoors from the weather. After 18 months in Montana, Hager was assigned to Goose Bay in Labrador, Canada, including three months spent in Thule, Greenland. Hager missed his wife and two young daughters dearly during this time.

Following his tour in Goose Bay, the Air Force sent him to McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California with the 964^th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron. He completed many search and rescue missions during his time there, sometimes in foggy conditions. Hager was then stationed with the 98th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Suffolk County Air Force Base in New York, now Frank S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base. After Hager completed his assignment, the Air Force sent him to the University of New Hampshire where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

By the time Hager finished his degree, war had broken out in Vietnam requiring him to move to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines to serve as a navigator on aircraft that airlifted supplies to Vietnam. During Hager’s deployment, he received two Distinguished Flying Crosses. Hager served as a navigator on aircraft dropping emergency supplies while under fire during both missions; on the second mission, his aircraft sustained severe damage from anti-aircraft fire. Hager left the Air Force in 1973 at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

After leaving the Air Force, Hager worked for a dairy company and then owned an electronics store. He was also involved with his church and the Kiwanis Club. Hager passed away in June 2018 at the age of 85.

We honor his service.

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Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Contributors

Writer: Jewel Luckow

Editor: Kaden Kessel

Fact checker: Robert Burton

Graphic artist: Alyssa Morford