Paul F. Lorence
Captain, U.S. Air Force

Paul F. Lorence was born on 17 February 1955 in San Francisco, CA.

A 1980 graduate of San Francisco State University, Lorence enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1981. After completing Officer Training School, he was assigned as the Weapons Systems Officer of an F-111 fighter/bomber with the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing.

On 14 April 1986, the U.S. launched Operation El Dorado, an Air Force bombing raid into Libya in response to terrorist attacks. During the raid, Captain Lorence and his pilot, Captain Fernando Ribas-Dominicci, were shot down off the coast of Libya, becoming the only casualties of the entire operation.

Captain Ribas-Dominicci's body was eventually returned by the Libyan government in 1989, however, the location of Captain Lorence's remains is still currently unknown.

Death and Burial

Captain Paul F. Lorence was killed in action on 14 April 1986 in Libya. The aircraft was shot down off the coast of Libya and the body is presumed lost at sea or destroyed.