Retired Air Force Col. Laird Guttersen, a former prisoner of war who later became an outspoken advocate for military families with missing loved ones, has died at 80.
The longtime Tucsonan, who was shot down in Vietnam in 1968 and spent five years in captivity, was felled June 13 by complications of a stroke. His funeral is set for June 29 at 3 p.m. at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Guttersen was thrust into the national spotlight in 1973, when he was one nearly 600 POWs released by North Vietnam in a much-publicized event billed as Operation Homecoming. Soon afterward, he began calling on the U.S. government to give the public a complete accounting of all Americans who were missing or still captive overseas.
The F-4 Phantom pilot also was critical of the White House of the day for not doing more to help the families of POWs.
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When counseling and other aid for families did not materialize as promised, Guttersen launched what became a lifelong effort to focus attention on their plight.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1974, Guttersen was a frequent speaker to local and national audiences. As recently as 2004, he spoke at Tucson's veterans hospital for National POW-MIA Recognition Day.
The Minnesota native made Tucson his home after serving at D-M. Guttersen served 33 years on active duty, earning several medals including a Silver Star and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.
In 1976 he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican from Tucson, but lost to Democrat Morris K. Udall.
"Laird was one of the most patriotic people I've ever known," said Patty Hopper of Glendale, a leader of Task Force Omega, Inc., a national POW-MIA organization.
In media interviews after his release from captivity, Guttersen recounted some of the torture he endured. His jaw and shoulders were dislocated during enemy efforts to get him to talk, and he spent more than two years in solitary confinement.
Guttersen was predeceased by two wives: Virginia, who died of cancer in 1978; and Ruth, who died in an accidental fall in 2002. He is survived by his third wife, Jennifer, whom he wed in 2003, and by six children and 15 grandchildren.
For security reasons, those attending Guttersen's funeral must RSVP by Sunday to get on the base. To make arrangements, call Mark Anderson at 297-2760 or e-mail lairdmark1@yahoo.com.
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