Lieutenant Colonel John Galbreath Dunn (ASN: 0-17747628), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from March 18, 1968 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 John Galbreath Dunn (ASN: 0-17747628), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Dunn culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of WarAction Date:
May 1968
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 56 (December 31, 1974)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel John Galbreath Dunn (ASN: 0-17747628), United States Army, for gallantry in action and heroism involving voluntary risk of life while serving as a Prisoner of War during May 1968. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the Viet Cong resorted to a routine of mental and physical cruelties including withholding of medical treatment and food, for the purpose of obtaining military information, biographical data, and propaganda material detrimental to the United States. During the latter part of May 1968, Captain Dunn was undergoing intense interrogation for the purpose of obtaining military information. Even though he was forced to live in a filthy pit, chained by the ankle like an animal, given only enough to eat to sustain life, severely beaten, and his life threatened, Captain Dunn would not give the requested information. After being refused food and water for three days, he still refused to give information. At midnight on the third day he was tied, blindfolded, taken to the jungle, placed on his knees and an AK-47 rifle placed to his head and told that he had 60 seconds in which to give them the desired information. At this time, he agreed to their demands, but gave them false and distorted information, hoping for enough time to regroup his thoughts. Instead, he was again given ten minutes to live and, again, he refused to give additional information. Shortly after this last threat, he was returned to his bunker and camp routine was restored. Despite extremely harsh conditions, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to God, country, and fellow prisoners. The heroism displayed by Captain Dunn reflects great credit upon himself, his family, and the United States Army.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)Action Date:
March 18, 1968 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 John Galbreath Dunn (ASN: 0-17747628), United States Army, for meritorious achievement in action against an armed enemy of the United States while detained as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia during the period 18 March 1968 to 12 February 1973. 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 Southeast Asia demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, this American continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal to Lieutenant Colonel John Galbreath Dunn (ASN: 0-17747628), United States Army, for outstanding meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Through his untiring efforts and professional ability, he consistently obtained outstanding results. He was quick to grasp the implications of new problems with which he was faced as a result of the ever changing situations inherent in a counterinsurgency operation and to find ways and means to solve those problems. The energetic application of his extensive knowledge has materially contributed to the efforts of the United States mission to the Republic of Vietnam to assist that country in ridding itself of the communist threat to its freedom. His initiative, zeal, sound judgment and devotion to duty have been in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit on him and the Military Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)Action Date:
March 18, 1968 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 John Galbreath Dunn (ASN: 0-17747628), United States Army, for meritorious achievement in action against an armed enemy of the United States while detained as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia during the period 18 March 1968 to 12 February 1973. 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 Southeast Asia demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, this American continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.