Isaac Camacho was interned as a Prisoner of War in South Vietnam and Cambodia after he was captured on November 24, 1963, in the action that earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. On July 9, 1964, he became the FIRST American to escape captivity in the Vietnam War, and spent four days evading pursuers in order to return to U.S. control, earning the Silver Star for that heroic action.
Sponsored by:
Isaac
Camacho
POW (RVN) Escapee
1937
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Sergeant First ClassRegiment:
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)Division:
1st Special ForcesAction Date:
November 24, 1963
Department of the Army, General Orders 25 (8 June 2001)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant First Class Isaac Camacho (ASN: RA–18468655), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-21, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Camacho distinguished himself by gallantry in action during the early morning on 2 November 1963, when an estimated reinforced battalion of Viet Cong attacked a Special Forces camp at Hiep Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Taking the camp by complete surprise, the insurgents began their attack with withering automatic weapons and small arms fire followed within a few seconds by an intense mortar barrage. The heavy volume of high and flat trajectory fire pinned down the entire Vietnamese strike force within the compound. At the beginning of the attack, Sergeant First Class Camacho ran from his sleeping area to a mortar position. Having. successfully maneuvered through a hail of bullets and mortar fragments, Sergeant First Class Camacho calmly manned the mortar and began to concentrate his fire on the Viet Cong who were attempting to breach the wall of the compound. Disregarding his own personal safety and realizing that he was the only man not pinned down by the Viet Cong, Sergeant First Class Camacho valiantly engaged the enemy until he was ordered by his commanding officer to withdraw from the camp. Reluctantly, he gave up his position and moved into the darkness. In the confusion of battle, Sergeant First Class Camacho and his commanding officer became separated. Sergeant First Class Camacho was captured by the Viet Cong only when he no longer had any means to resist. Sergeant First class Camacho’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Sergeant First ClassDivision:
Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)Action Date:
July 13, 1965
Headquarters, Department of the Army, General Orders 25 (8 June 2001)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 Sergeant First Class Isaac Camacho (ASN: RA–18468655), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a Prisoner of War, on 13 July 1965, in the Republic of Vietnam. After four days in the jungle and rivers of South Vietnam, avoiding numerous enemy patrols and fighting snakes and leeches, Sergeant First Class Camacho reached an allied outpost becoming the first American Prisoner of War to escape from enemy forces in Vietnam. All of this (was) following a period in excess of nineteen months held in captivity. Sergeant First Class Camacho’s daring escape galvanized the spirit and resistance for both his fellow prisoners and for United States Forces in Southeast Asia. Sergeant First Class Camacho’s conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Sergeant First ClassDivision:
Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)Action Date:
November 24, 1963 – July 9, 1964
Sergeant First Class Isaac Camacho (ASN: RA–18468655), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in South Vietnam and Cambodia from November 24, 1963 until his successful escape from captivity on July 9, 1964.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Sergeant First ClassAction Date:
July 10, 1963 – November 24, 1965
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Sergeant First Class Isaac Camacho (ASN: RA–18468655), United States Army, for outstanding meritorious service from 10 July 1963 to 14 July 1965 in the Republic of Vietnam. From 10 July 1963 to 24 November 1943, Sergeant First Class Camacho served with the United States Army Special Forces in their role of advising and assisting the people of the Republic of Vietnam to rid their country of the communist insurgents. He participated in numerous combat operations at great personal risks, and at all times conducted himself in accordance with the highest standards of the American fighting man. Through his untiring efforts and professional ability Sergeant Camacho consistently obtained outstanding results. When on 24 November 1963 he was forcibly taken into custody and detained against his will by the Viet Cong, he remained ever alert for conditions which would permit his escape. Sergeant Camacho found such an opportunity on 9 July 1965, and through great skill and daring made his way through miles of communist infested territory to freedom. Sergeant Camacho’s outstanding achievements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army, and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.