Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Jeremiah
Andrew
Denton
, Jr.
POW (RVN)
July 15, 1924

–

March 28, 2014

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Jeremiah Denton graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1947. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on July 18, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973. He retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral [then Commander]

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 1966 – May 1966
    Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral [then Commander] Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 1966 to May 1966. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, Rear Admiral Denton experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. During this prolonged period of physical and mental agony, he heroically resisted cruelties and continued to promulgate resistance policy and detailed instructions. Forced to attend a press conference with a Japanese correspondent, he blinked out a distress message in Morse Code at the television camera and was understood by United States Naval Intelligence. When this courageous act was reported to the North Vietnamese, he was again subjected to severe brutalities. Displaying extraordinary skill, fearless dedication to duty, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 1965 – February 1973
    Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as the Senior Ranking Officer in the Little Vegas and Alcatraz Prisoner Camps in North Vietnam, from July 1965 to February 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, Rear Admiral Denton resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the united States. Through incisive observation and interpretation of North Vietnamese propaganda pronouncements, he perceived a subtle high-level change of policy in the treatment of prisoners. Taking immediate tactical advantage of the enemy’s new imposed limitation on reprisals, he directed an increase in resistance posture which resulted in a nearly complete breakdown of enemy demands of prisoners for propaganda gains. Further, he personally directed and led a period of fasting in May 1970, as a method of protest to solitary confinement, and in general to demand better treatment. His extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and sound judgment contributed materially to the success of the prisoner organization, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Army. Great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain [then Commander]

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Independence (CVA-62)

    Action Date:

    July 16, 1965

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 16 July 1965 as the pilot of an A-6A “Intruder” aircraft, while serving with Attack Squadron SEVENTY-FIVE (VA-75), embarked in U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62), during combat operations in Southeast Asia. As strike leader, Captain Denton led a six-plane coordinated attack on the Ban Lang Moi Bridge in North Vietnam. In the face of intense fire from defending anti-aircraft artillery batteries, he courageously initiated the attack, scoring several direct bomb hits on the bridge, a key span of which fell into the river below. By his inspiring leadership, superb airmanship, and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Denton upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral
    Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of Rear Admiral Denton reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1965 – February 12, 1973

    Commander Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 18, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    August 1966 – September 1967

    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 Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August to September 1966 and in September 1967. 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.]

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral [then Commander]

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Rear Admiral [then Commander] Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in October 1966. Rear Admiral Denton’s 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, Rear Admiral Denton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral [then Commander]

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 1968

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Rear Admiral [then Commander] Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during December 1968. Rear Admiral Denton’s 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, Rear Admiral Denton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral [then Commander]

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 7, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Rear Admiral [then Commander] Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 7 December 1966. Rear Admiral Denton’s 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, Rear Admiral Denton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 1966 – January 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1966 to January 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]