Read Mecleary graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1964. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on May 26, 1967, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain and then flew for American Airlines from July 1976 until his “second retirement” on April 1, 2002.
Sponsored by:
Read
Blaine
Mecleary
POW (RVN)
April 7, 1942
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Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 26, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Read Blaine Mecleary, United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 26, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 29, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Read Blaine Mecleary, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 29 May 1967. Lieutenant Commander Mecleary’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, Lieutenant Commander Mecleary reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 93 (VA-93)Division:
U.S.S. Hancock (CVA-19)Action Date:
May 26, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Read Blaine Mecleary, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 26 May 1967 as a Pilot in Attack Squadron NINETY-THREE (VA-93), embarked in U.S.S. HANCOCK (CVA-19). As wingman in a flight of five aircraft assigned the role of flak suppression, Lieutenant Commander Mecleary participated in a highly successful 25-aircraft strike on the heavily defended Kep Airfield in North Vietnam. His division came under extremely intense and accurate enemy fire that ultimately struck three of the five aircraft. In addition, three surface-to-air missiles passed in close proximity to the formation, one exploding between the lead aircraft and Lieutenant Mecleary’s. Despite being hit at least twice and the necessity for extremely hard maneuvering, Lieutenant Commander Mecleary doggedly maintained a perfect tactical formation to the roll-in point and only when he was unable to turn his aircraft to the left did he leave the formation. Shortly thereafter his aircraft went completely out of control and he was forced to eject. He was subsequently captured. Lieutenant Commander Mecleary’s heroic actions throughout reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August – December 1969
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 Lieutenant Commander Read Blaine Mecleary, United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August to December 1969. 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 26, 1967 – March 4, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Read Blaine Mecleary, United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 26 May 1967 to 4 March 1973. 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
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Read Blaine Mecleary, United States Naval Reserve, 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 May 1967 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 and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Mecleary is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)