John McKamey was commissioned through the Navy ROTC program at Jacksonville University. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on June 2, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.
Sponsored by:
John
Bryan
McKamey
POW (RVN)
July 10, 1935
–
February 9, 2010
Cemetery:
Barrancas National Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Silver Star
-
Legion of Merit
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 16, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander John Bryan McKamey (NSN: 0-4777909), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 16 June 1966. Commander McKamey’s 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, Commander McKamey reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1970 – January 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander John Bryan McKamey (NSN: 0-4777909), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 1970 to January 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 2, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Commander John Bryan McKamey (NSN: 0-4777909), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 2, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1968 – July 1969 & August 1970 – May 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander John Bryan McKamey (NSN: 0-4777909), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1968 to July 1969 and from August 1970 to May 1972. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intra-camp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods in 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.]
-
Legion of Merit
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 Bryan McKamey (NSN: 0-4777909), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service while serving as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Management Support and as the Transition Team Leader on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Education and Training, Pensacola, Florida, from August 1984 to June 1986. Captain McKamey consistently performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. He aggressively, effectively, and efficiently initiated procedures which improved significantly the identification, development, and coordination of training requirements within the Naval Education and Training Command. These accomplishments could not have been realized without his dynamic enthusiasm, keen insight, sound judgment, and superior managerial and organizational ability. Captain McKamey’s exceptional professionalism, adroit leadership, and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1965 – February 1973
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 with Combat “V” to Commander John Bryan McKamey (NSN: 0-4777909), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1965 to February 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he served as an entertainer to provide 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 dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement 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.]
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander John Bryan McKamey (NSN: 0-4777909), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during August 1966. Commander McKamey’s 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, Commander McKamey reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.