On July 1, 1960, a U.S. Air Force RB-47 aircraft with a crew of six was shot down over the Barents Sea. Captains John McKone and Freeman Olmstead were rescued by a Soviet trawler and held captive at Lubyanak prison until January 25, 1961 when they were released. The remains of one crewman, Willard Palm, were recovered and returned July 25, 1960. The other three crewman: Oscar Goforth, Dean Phillips, and Eugene Posa, remain missing in action.
Sponsored by:
John
R.
McKone
POW (Cold War)
June 1, 1932
–
Born:
Kansas City
,
Missouri
Home:
Tonganoxie
,
Kansas
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
August 14, 1978 – August 31, 1983
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 John R. McKone (AFSN: FR-62063), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 44th Combat Support Group, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota and as Commander 3902d Air Base Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, from 14 August 1978 to 31 August 1983. The innovative management, exemplary foresight, and inspirational leadership demonstrated by Colonel McKone in these important assignments resulted in the development of personnel programs which significantly increased morale, discipline, enthusiasm and retention of base personnel. He aggressively pursued modification/renovation of facilities, replacement of obsolete facilities, and construction of new facilities to improve safety and security of base personnel. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel McKone culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Colonel [then Captain]Batallion:
343d Strategic Reconnaissance SquadronRegiment:
55th Strategic Reconnaissance WingAction Date:
July 1, 1960 – January 24, 1961
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel [then Captain] John R. McKone (AFSN: FR-62063), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force from 1 July 1960 to 24 January 1961. During this period, while assigned to the 343rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Colonel McKone was held captive in solitary confinement in the infamous Lubyanka Prison, Moscow, in the former United of Soviet Socialist Republics, after his crew’s RB-47 aircraft had been shot down by a Soviet fighter aircraft over international waters. For 208 days, Colonel McKone was interrogated and harassed at length on a continuous basis by numerous top Soviet Secret Police interrogating teams. Although greatly weakened physically by the lack of food, denial of sleep, and the mental rigors of constant interrogation, Colonel McKone steadfastly refused all attempts to give sensitive defense information or be exploited for propaganda purposes, resisting all Soviet efforts through cajolery, trickery, and threats of death to obtain the confessions they sought as part of the pretrial investigation. After enduring seven months of threats, insults, and unmentionable hardship, Colonel McKone was finally released to United States control. As a result of his indomitable spirit, exceptional loyalty, and continuous heroic actions, a “showcase trial” was never conducted, earning him the everlasting gratitude of his fellow prisoner and country as well as gaining respect of his Soviet captors. For his sustained courage and extraordinary leadership in an exceptionally hostile environment, Colonel McKone was publicly recognized at the highest levels of government, including the President of the United States. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel McKone has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
September 1, 1973 – June 30, 1978
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 John R. McKone (AFSN: FR-62063), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander, 52d Combat Support Group, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and as Chief, Management Inspection Division, Directorate of Inspection, Office of the Inspector General, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, Kapaun Air Station, Germany, from 1 September 1973 to 30 June 1978. During this period, the inspired leadership, initiative, and untiring efforts demonstrated by Colonel McKone were instrumental in achieving a harmonious relationship with the Eifel German Community, upgrading the effectiveness of the 52d Tactical Fighter Wing, and in significantly improving the inspection capability and credibility and credibility of the United States Air Forces in Europe inspection team. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel McKone reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Colonel [then Captain]Division:
Prisoner of War (Soviet Union)Action Date:
July 1, 1960 – January 24, 1961
Captain (then) John R. McKone (AFSN: FR-62063), United States Air Force, and Captain (then) Freeman Bruce Olmstead (AFSN: FR-54818), United States Air Force, were crew members on a U.S. Air Force RB-47 that took off from Briuze Norton Air Base, United Kingdom, on 1 July 1960, to fly a peace time reconnaissance mission against the Soviet Union. At a predetermined point the RB-47 flew in a southeast direction in the Barents Sea parallel to the northern Soviet coastline. While over international waters, the RB-47 was intercepted by a Soviet MiG fighter which started firing o the aircraft and subsequently shot the RB-47 down. Of the six RB-47 crew members, Captain Olmstead, the co-pilot and Captain McKone, the navigator, survived the shoot down. After spending six hours in the freezing arctic waters, Captains Olmstead and McKone were rescued by a Soviet fishing trawler, transferred to an aircraft and flown to Moscow. They then were separated and placed in solitary confinement for 208 days in Lubyanak prison, the top political prison of the KGB. On 24 January 1961 they were released to American authorities at the American Embassy in Moscow. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel (USAF Ret) John R. McKone and Colonel (USAF Ret) Freeman B. Olmstead reflect great credit upon themselves, the reconnaissance community and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
343d Strategic Reconnaissance SquadronRegiment:
55th Strategic Reconnaissance WingAction Date:
July 1, 1960
Department of the Air Force, Special Orders G-40 (May 3, 1962)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 R. McKone (AFSN: FR-62063), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 1 July 1960. The effectiveness and courage exhibited by Captain McKone in the accomplishment of this mission, under exceptional conditions, ably demonstrated his proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty. The professional ability and airmanship displayed by Captain McKone reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
343d Strategic Reconnaissance SquadronRegiment:
55th Strategic Reconnaissance WingAction Date:
February 25, 1959 – June 2, 1959
Department of the Air Force, Special Orders G-40 (May 3, 1962)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 R. McKone (AFSN: FR-62063), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from 25 February 1959 to 2 June 1959. The effectiveness and courage exhibited by Captain McKone in the accomplishment of these missions, under exceptional conditions, ably demonstrated his proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty. The professional ability and airmanship displayed by Captain McKone reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.