Central City in Linn County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Robert Naughton

CAPT, USN Retired

— Longest held POW (1966-1973) —

Robert Naughton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 18, 2025

1. Robert Naughton Marker

Inscription.
After graduating from Immaculate Conception High School in Cedar Rapids, Bob attended Loras College in Dubuque. After graduating from Loras in 1960, he married his college sweetheart, Peggy, and together they embarked on a 26-year adventure in the U.S. Navy while Bob served as a Naval Aviator with distinction.

Bob's early Navy career took his young, growing family from Pensacola, FL, to Corpus Christi, TX, to Barbers Point, HI, and to Lemoore, CA.

While on deployment in Southeast Asia with VA-113 aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, Bob was shot down over North Vietnam and was taken Prisoner of War on May 18, 1967. After spending 2,118 days in captivity, now LCDR Naughton was released during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973.

Bob continued his Naval career first at the Naval War College at Newport, R.I., and then as Executive Officer of VA-83 at NAS Cecil Field before assuming Commanding Officer duties of VA-83 in 1977. His next command was also at NAS Cecil field, where he assumed command of VA-174 in 1979.

After being promoted to the rank of Captain, Bob returned to the senior officer course at the Naval War College, and from

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there accepted his final assignment as Commanding Officer of NAS Dallas, Texas. Bob retired from the Navy in 1987, having received military decorations including the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and 18 Air Medals. In 1989, Bob became NASA's Chief of Aircraft Operations Division at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. He held that position until 2004, and while at NASA, was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Medal and Distinguished Service Medal, and was recognized in 1995 by President Bill Clinton with a Meritorious Senior Executive Award.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Valor in Aerial Operations series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1967.

Location. 42° 11.733′ N, 91° 31.67′ W. Marker is in Central City, Iowa, in Linn County. It is on Central City Road 0.3 miles east of Marion Road (Iowa Route 13), on the right when traveling east. The marker and Linn County Freedom Rock are located

Marker detail: Robert Naughton image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Robert Naughton

in a covered shelter on the south side of the Central City Road and River Street intersection, near the Linn County Fairgrounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Central City Road, Central City IA 52214, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Salvatore Guinta, SSG (here, next to this marker); Paul Warfield Tibbets Jr. (here, next to this marker); PFC Nicholas Aberle (here, next to this marker); LTC Charles A. Clark (here, next to this marker); Mancil V. Root (here, next to this marker); Central City Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); J. C. Clegg Building (approx. 0.7 miles away); Amvets Auxiliary Coggon Honors its War Dead (approx. 5.9

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 18, 2025

3. Robert Naughton Marker

The marker is mounted near the base of the east side of the Linn County Freedom Rock.

miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Central City.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Central City Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial

Also see . . . Robert J. Naughton (Find A Grave).

(Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA) Excerpt: Robert J. Naughton, 82, passed away peacefully on Feb. 7, 2021, in Houston, Texas, after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. In retirement, Bob and Peggy were active volunteers at their parish and in prison ministry at the Harris County Jail and at Isaiah House, an organization that helps formerly incarcerated men assimilate back into society. In their free time, they traveled, enjoyed fine wine and exceptional cuisine, visiting family, and in the later years, accumulating points as Bridge partners, where he achieved Bronze Life Master status. Bob was happiest when sitting at the head of the dining room table, surrounded by family, and engaged in spirited conservation about a myriad of topics.

(Submitted on October 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Linn County Freedom Rock & Shelter (<i>east side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 18, 2025

4. Linn County Freedom Rock & Shelter (east side)

Robert Naughton is honored on the east side of the Linn County Freedom Rock.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.