John Van Vliet graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1937. He was captured by the enemy in Tunisia in 1943, but escaped and recaptured twice, before his third successful escape. He retired in 1959 as a U.S. Army Colonel.
Sponsored by:
John
Huff
Van Vliet
Jr.
POW (WWII) Escapee
1914-11-04
–
2000-02-05
Born:
,
Texas
Home:
Red Bank
,
New Jersey
Buried:
West Point
,
New York
Cemetery:
U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Silver Star
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Batallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
168th Infantry RegimentDivision:
34th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 77 (1946)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John Huff Van Vliet, Jr. (ASN: 0-20828), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Tunisia, North Africa, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Van Vliet, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Division:
Prisoner of War (Germany)Action Date:
February 1943 – 1945
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John Huff Van Vliet, Jr. (ASN: 0-20828), United States Army, was captured by German forces during fighting on or about 17 February 1943, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release after the end of hostilities in 1945.