Navy Federal Credit Union

John Flynn served in the Ohio Army National Guard prior to World War II and entered active duty in the U.S. Army Air Forces as a P-51 Mustang pilot. He also flew combat missions in the Korean War, before serving in Vietnam. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 27, 1967. After nearly six years of captivity, he was repatriated on March 14, 1973. During confinement, he was the SRO (Senior Ranking Officer) and the top-ranking Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. With more than 4,500 flying hours during his career, he retired as an Air Force Lieutenant General on October 1, 1978, five years after his release from captivity.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John Peter Flynn (AFSN: 0-15760/AO41234/15133928), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Korea. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John Peter Flynn (AFSN: 0-15760/AO41234/15133928), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Korea. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1970 – February 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major General John Peter Flynn (AFSN: 0-15760/AO41234/15133928), United States Air Force, for outstanding achievement in a position of leadership while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 1970 to February 1973. This officer performed duties dealing in highly classified material while under constant surveillance of the enemy. He generated new ideas and improvised new techniques which greatly enhanced covert operations. His outstanding performance and dedication to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    August 23, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel John Peter Flynn (AFSN: 0-15760/AO41234/15133928), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 23 August 1967. On that date, Colonel Flynn was a member of the lead flight in a force of thirty-two aircraft directed to attack and destroy a heavily defended military target over North Vietnam. Despite repeated attacks by hostile aircraft, and an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire, Colonel Flynn placed his ordnance directly on the target, inflicting severe damage. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Flynn reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    October 27, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Colonel John Peter Flynn (AFSN: 0-15760/AO41234/15133928), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 27 October 1967. On that date, Colonel Flynn was a member of a force ordered to attack a vital military target in a heavily defended area in North Vietnam. After taking a hit from a surface-to-air missile, Colonel Flynn, realizing his aircraft was too crippled to continue, elected not to ask for his flight’s assistance, as customary with battle damage aircraft, but let them continue to press the attack on the assigned target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Flynn reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    October 6, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel John Peter Flynn (AFSN: 0-15760/AO41234/15133928), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 6 October 1967. On that date, Colonel Flynn was ordered to attack and destroy a heavily defended military target. Despite a withering barrage of anti-aircraft fire, Colonel Flynn pressed the attack and delivered his ordnance with devastating effect and pin point accuracy. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Flynn reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General John Peter Flynn (AFSN: 0-15760/AO41234/15133928), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Flynn and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel John Peter Flynn (AFSN: 0-15760/AO41234/15133928), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Pilot over North Vietnam, on 25 October 1967. On that date, Colonel Flynn participated in an air strike on a heavily defended high priority military target. Despite attacks by hostile aircraft, Surface-to-Air missiles, and intense and extremely accurate anti-aircraft fire, Colonel Flynn delivered his ordnance with unerring accuracy which caused severe damage to the target area. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Flynn has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel John Peter Flynn (AFSN: 0-15760/AO41234/15133928), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 1971 – April 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General John Peter Flynn (AFSN: 0-15760/AO41234/15133928), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. General Flynn distinguished himself as Commander of the 4th Allied Prisoner of War Wing, Hanoi, North Vietnam, while a Prisoner of War during the period March 1971 to April 1973. Despite constant threatening pressure from enemy officers and guards, General Flynn established a command which met challenged of never-ending variety. The effectiveness of the organization and the impact of his leadership against enemy programs of prisoner exploitation were best illustrated by the number of times which General Flynn and key members of his staff were segregated from the main body of prisoners. However the prisoner organization was so well grounded by that time there was no loss in capability to continue to function as a Wing. Every decision that General Flynn made was a difficult one, but he made them without yielding to the easy or indifferent. He created the 4th Allied Prisoner of War Wing and led it through constant crises in terms of what was best for our country, then best for the Wing, and lastly, what was best for the individual, finally bringing his men out with honor and dignity. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Flynn reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.