| Charles Klusmann | |
| Nickname: | Chuck |
| Birth Date: | 1933 9, df=yes |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Navy |
| Serviceyears: | 1953–1980 |
| Rank: | Captain |
| Battles: | Vietnam War |
| Awards: | Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Spouse: | Ellen |
Charles Frederick Klusmann (born 7 September 1933) is a retired United States Navy combat pilot who was shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War and later escaped captivity.
Klusmann was a navy lieutenant (O-3) when he was shot down over the Plain of Jars, Laos on 6 June 1964, flying an RF-8A Crusader aircraft from the VFP-63, .[1] He was the first airman shot down and captured by the Pathet Lao and the first to escape three months later, on August 30. He was rescued two days later by CIA Officer Terrence Michael "Terry" Burke.[2] This is notable because the United States government never negotiated for the release of any prisoners held in Laos, and so, not one American held in Laos was ever released.
Klusmann's military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and Prisoner of War Medal.[3]
His Distinguished Flying Cross citation reads:[4]
Klusmann retired from the US Navy as a captain in 1980. A father of two children and a grandfather of three, he retired to Pensacola, where he had undergone flight training in the Navy, in 1996.