Everett Alvarez graduated from the University of Santa Clara in California with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1960, and entered the Navy through the Aviation Officer Candidate Program. He was one of the longest-held American Prisoners of War in American history, and was interned in North Vietnam from August 5, 1964 until his release on February 12, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Everett
Alvarez
, Jr.
POW (RVN)
1937
–
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 10, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (NSN: 0-4733517), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. On 10 August 1966, Commander Alvarez’ captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme cruelty in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. By his heroic stand against his captors, he effectively resisted the efforts of the North Vietnamese in spite of the hostile environment; eventually compelling them to abandon their employment of harsh treatment. Using determination, 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.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (NSN: 0-4733517), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in November 1966. 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 144 (VA-144)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
August 5, 1964
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Everett Alvarez, Jr. (NSN: 0-4733517), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of jet aircraft in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR (VA-144), embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64), during an attack against North Vietnamese motor torpedo boats, on 5 August 1964. Participating in a flight of jet aircraft assigned the mission of seeking out and destroying motor torpedo boats at their bases in North Vietnam, Lieutenant Commander Alvarez pressed home a rocket attack on his target in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire from both shore and shipboard batteries and was instrumental in enabling the other members of his flight to locate their partially obscured targets. During his second attack, his aircraft was hit by intense anti-aircraft fire and was badly disabled. When control of his crippled plane became impossible, he was forced to bail out over enemy territory. By his inspiring and courageous performance of duty throughout, Lieutenant Commander Alvarez upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 1966 – January 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (NSN: 0-4733517), 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 December 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. (Commander Alvarez is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1965 – January 1966
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 Everett Alvarez, Jr. (NSN: 0-4733517), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1965 to January 1966. 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1964 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (NSN: 0-4733517), 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 August 1964 to February 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. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he served as an educator to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Alvarez is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 5, 1964 – February 12, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (NSN: 0-4733517), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 5, 1964 until his release on February 12, 1973.