John Ensch initially enlisted in the Army in 1956, served subsequently in the Army Reserves, and then was commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1965. During his military career, Captain Ensch accumulated over 3,000 flying hours and over 800 carrier landings in F-4 Phantoms and F-14 Tomcats. He also flew 285 combat missions during the Vietnam War. On August 25, 1972, he was forced to eject over North Vietnam, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on March 29, 1973. He retired in 1995 as a U.S. Navy Captain.
Sponsored by:
John
Clyde
Ensch
POW (RVN)
November 7, 1937
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Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Navy Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 25, 1972 – March 29, 1973
Lieutenant John Clyde Ensch (NSN: 0-694331), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 25, 1972 until his release on March 29, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1972 – March 1973
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 John Clyde Ensch (NSN: 0-694331), United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1972 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, her 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. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain John Clyde Ensch (NSN: 0-694331), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from June 1993 to 1995. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Captain Ensch culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
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 to Captain John Clyde Ensch (NSN: 0-694331), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Inspector General, Chief of Naval Education and Training, Pensacola, Florida, from August 1991 to May 1993. Captain Ensch displayed exceptional professionalism and uncommon initiative in the superb performance of his diverse and demanding duties. An extremely conscientious and resourceful leader, he made significant and lasting improvements to Navy training through his professional and thorough inspections of Education and Training Command echelon three commands and Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Units. Captain Ensch expertly managed an effective hotline complaint system, and was personally responsible for instilling a pro-active approach while responding to more than 240 complaints during his tour. By exercising strong interpersonal communication skills, he successfully incorporated the finest techniques of Total Quality Leadership, assuring all who came in contact with him that they were important, and that their concerns were deserving of careful review. By his outstanding leadership, exceptional professionalism, and inspirational devotion to duty, Captain Ensch reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain John Clyde Ensch (NSN: 0-694331), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida, from July 1989 to July 1991. Under Captain Ensch’s exceptional leadership and extraordinary management, Naval Air Station, Key West established and guaranteed attainment of aggressive performance goals for over 4,000 military and civilian personnel, resulting in the accomplishment and support of 192,000 flight operations per year by nearly 400 fleet and other aviation detachments. His tireless efforts to improve quality of life for his subordinates ensured the renovation of 1,379 family housing units and the construction of a new $7.5 million complex including a Navy Exchange, Commissary, Navy Lodge, and Community Center. Captain Ensch crafted hiring policies that resulted in Naval Air Station, Key West’s selectin as 1990 Employer of the Year by the Handicapped Job Placement Council of the Florida Keys. His diplomacy and decisiveness during two separate incidents of Cuban pilot defections to Naval Air Station, Key West brought both events to successful and amicable conclusions, averting any international repercussions. By his outstanding leadership, logical judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Ensch reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant John Clyde Ensch (NSN: 0-694331), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in August 1972. 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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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 161 (VF-161)Division:
U.S.S. Midway (CVA-41)Action Date:
May 23, 1972
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant John Clyde Ensch (NSN: 0-694331), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy as a naval flight officer of jet aircraft while serving with Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (VF-1610, embarked in U.S.S. MIDWAY (CVA-41). On 23 May 1972, in support of an air strike against the Haiphong petroleum products storage in North Vietnam, the Combat Air Patrol element, in which Lieutenant Ensch participated as a Radar Intercept Officer, was taken under attack by six enemy fighter aircraft. Lieutenant Ensch was instrumental in providing critical tactical information to his pilot and in covering the stern of the patrol element. In the ensuing low-altitude aerial combat, he materially contributed to the success of the mission in which he and his pilot were credited with the confirmed downing of two enemy fighter aircraft. Lieutenant Ensch’s superb airmanship and courage reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.