James Hivner was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 5, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.
Sponsored by:
James
Otis
Hivner
POW (RVN)
February 20, 1931
–
July 19, 2017
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 James Otis Hivner, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Aircraft Commander of a F-4C aircraft over North Vietnam, on 24 September 1965. Twice on that date, Captain Hivner flew his aircraft through intense anti-aircraft fire and in adverse weather in an effort to bring final destruction to the Vihn Lihn Army Barracks. Captain Hivner’s aggressive actions were instrumental in inflicting heavy damage on a military installation of great importance to hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hivner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 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 Lieutenant Colonel James Otis Hivner, United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during June 1966. The North Vietnamese and 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. This individual heroically resisted their 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 5, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel James Otis Hivner, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 5, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1965 – October 1969
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 Lieutenant Colonel James Otis Hivner, 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 1969. 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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel James Otis Hivner, United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 1 June 1966, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Lieutenant Colonel Hivner resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
43d Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
October 5, 1965
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain James Otis Hivner, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force Aircraft Commander of an F-4C Fighter-Bomber of the 43d Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia, on 5 October 1965. On that date, Captain Hivner’s aircraft was struck by hostile anti-aircraft fire while approaching its assigned target. Disregarding the ensuing fire and smoke, Captain Hivner displayed an extraordinary degree of courage as he determinedly continued his attack rather than abort the mission, and dropped his bombs squarely on target. Then after a futile attempt to further control his damaged aircraft, Captain Hivner was forced to eject while deep within hostile territory. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Hivner has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(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 James Otis Hivner, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Aircraft Commander of a F-4C aircraft, In action over Southeast Asia in 1965. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hivner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1966
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 Lieutenant Colonel James Otis Hivner, United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam in August 1966. 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 upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.