The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander John Heaphy Fellowes (NSN: 0-4271229), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1966 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he served as Chaplain wherein he provided spiritual guidance and conducted religious services for the benefit of the other prisoners. In addition, he assumed supervisory duties which resulted in the maintenance of good order and discipline among the prisoners during periods of frustration and constant harassment. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout this lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Fellowes is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 27, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander John Heaphy Fellowes (NSN: 0-4271229), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 27 August 1966. Commander Fellowes’ captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Commander Fellowes reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October – December 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander John Heaphy Fellowes (NSN: 0-4271229), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October to December 1966. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 28, 1968 – July 15, 1969
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander John Heaphy Fellowes (NSN: 0-4271229), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
July 1, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] John Heaphy Fellowes (NSN: 0-4271229), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 1 July 1966, as pilot of a jet aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron SIXTY-FIVE (VA-65), embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-65), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. Commander Fellowes was diverted from his planned mission to intercept and destroy three high-speed, North Vietnamese torpedo boats which were threatening the northern group of United States destroyers in the Tonkin Gulf. Although advised by other CONSTELLATION pilots that intense and extremely accurate defensive fire from the enemy boats had already substantially damaged one attacking aircraft, Commander Fellowes courageously made repeated bombing attacks against the swift and elusive targets. With all three boats concentrating their fire on his aircraft, he scored a direct hit on one of the boats, sinking it immediately, and later achieved a near-miss on a second boat which was sunk shortly thereafter by another CONSTELLATION aircraft. Commander Fellowes’ exceptional courage, alertness, skill, and resourcefulness were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 28, 1968 – July 15, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander John Heaphy Fellowes (NSN: 0-4271229), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 28 April 1968 to 15 July 1969. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain John Heaphy Fellowes (NSN: 0-4271229), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Captain Fellowes culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 27, 1966 – March 4, 1973
Commander John Heaphy Fellowes (NSN: 0-4271229), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 27, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.