The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander John Douglass Burns, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam, in October 1967. Commander Burns’ captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, Commander Burns reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 4, 1966 – March 4, 1973
Commander John Douglass Burns, United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 4, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander John Douglass Burns, United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1967 to June 1969 and from May 1970 to March 1973. 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander John Douglass Burns, United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in October 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander John Douglass Burns, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1966 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While maintaining daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions resulting in the maintenance of good order and discipline among the prisoners. Further, as an educator he provided 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 sound judgment reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Burns is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Commander John Douglass Burns, United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. He never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, 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.]