Fred Cherry graduated from Virginia Union University in 1951. He entered the Air Force as an enlisted man, then qualified as a pilot and flew 52 combat missions in an F-84G during the Korean War. He flew 50 combat missions during the Vietnam War before he was shot down northeast of Hanoi on October 22, 1965, becoming the first Black officer captured by the North Vietnamese. After his release on February 12, 1973, and subsequent retirement in 1981, he wrote a book titled “Two Souls Indivisible” detailing his captivity and close personal friendship with fellow Prisoner of War Porter Halyburton. Colonel Cherry was commissioned by President Ronald Reagan to serve on the Korean War Veteran’s Memorial Advisory Board. He also received the Award for Outstanding Service to the Military Community from the Tuskegee Airmen.
Sponsored by:
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 22, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Colonel Fred Vann Cherry (AFSN: 0-2225916/AF-13416845), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 22, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
35th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction 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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Fred Vann Cherry (AFSN: 0-2225916/AF-13416845), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron over Southeast Asia. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1969 – July 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Colonel Fred Vann Cherry (AFSN: 0-2225916/AF-13416845), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam from July 1969 to July 1970. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
35th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
October 22, 1965
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 Major Fred Vann Cherry (AFSN: 0-2225916/AF-13416845), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over North Vietnam on 22 October 1965. On that date, Major Cherry led a flight of F-105’s against a heavily defended Surface-to-Air (SAM) Missile site deep within hostile territory. Leading the way for the others to follow, Major Cherry courageously rolled in for a low level attack in the face of a veritable wall of anti-aircraft fire and dropped his bombs squarely on target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Cherry has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966 – December 1966
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 Colonel Fred Vann Cherry (AFSN: 0-2225916/AF-13416845), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1966 to December 1966. The North Vietnamese interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. Colonel Cherry heroically resisted this treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 15 – November 15, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Colonel Fred Vann Cherry (AFSN: 0-2225916/AF-13416845), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 15 August 1967 to 15 November 1967. During this period, Colonel Cherry demonstrated his extremely strong personal fortitude and maximum persistence in the face of severe enemy harassment and torture, suffering critical injuries and wounds. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower, in the face of the enemy, Colonel Cherry reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
35th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction 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 lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Fred Vann Cherry (AFSN: 0-2225916/AF-13416845), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron over Southeast Asia. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Fred Vann Cherry (AFSN: 0-2225916/AF-13416845), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Cherry and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1965 – October 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Fred Vann Cherry (AFSN: 0-2225916/AF-13416845), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1965 to October 1972. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.