James Mehl graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1951. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on May 30, 1967, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.
Sponsored by:
James
Patrick
Mehl
POW (RVN)
February 26, 1929
–
August 29, 2017
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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 to Captain James Patrick Mehl (NSN: 0-543070), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Project Coordinator for the A-4 SKYHAWK and derivative aircraft weapon systems while assigned to the Naval Air Systems Command from August 1974 through December 1978. An extremely competent, dedicated, and effective manager, Captain Mehl was responsible for the full range of complex and demanding material acquisition and support activities related to the many types and series of this combat proven aircraft operational in the United States Navy and Marine Corps and in the air forces of six allied and friendly foreign nations. He directly supervised the preparation of training and support programs to establish the aircraft’s operational capability in a nation whose technological base is in its infancy. As a direct result of Captain Mehl’s skillful management, the full systems capability and operational readiness for these aircraft have consistently met or exceeded the demanding standards of the Chief of Naval Operations. In addition, he overcame major technical difficulties, fostered the cooperation and understanding essential to the success of defense assistance to foreign recipients, and repeatedly exhibited remarkable skill in making timely critical decisions. Captain Mehl’s outstanding leadership, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 30, 1967 – March 4, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain James Patrick Mehl (NSN: 0-543070), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 30 May 1967 to 4 March 1973. 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 93 (VA-93)Division:
U.S.S. Hancock (CVA-19)Action Date:
May 22, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] James Patrick Mehl (NSN: 0-543070), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 22 May 1967 as a pilot in Attack Squadron NINETY-THREE, embarked in U.S.S. HANCOCK (CVA-19). Captain Mehl was the strike leader of a highly successful seventeen-aircraft strike against the Nam Dinh railroad yard and transshipment storage area in North Vietnam. In the face of heavy, accurate, and constant 85-mm. anti-aircraft fire, he skillfully coordinated a two-element attack which approached the target area from different directions, commencing their attacks thirty seconds apart. Despite battle damage sustained by his own aircraft, Captain Mehl executed his attack and led both elements in their successful retirement from the target area. He was personally responsible for much of the heavy damage in the railroad yard. By his thorough planning, professional leadership, and outstanding airmanship, Captain Mehl upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Attack Squadron 93 (VA-93)Division:
U.S.S. Hancock (CVA-19)Action Date:
May 30, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain James Patrick Mehl (NSN: 0-543070), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 30 May 1967, as a Pilot in Attack Squadron NINETY-THREE (VA-93), embarked in U.S.S. HANCOCK (CVA-19), during operations against enemy forces in Southeast Asia. As leader of a four-aircraft group tasked with suppressing surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) during a nineteen-aircraft strike against the Phu Ly railroad yards and transshipment area in North Vietnam, Captain Mehl led his group in a bold and courageous attack on a complex of SAM sites south of Hanoi. Although three SAMs were directed at his aircraft, and despite an ordnance malfunction which posed a difficult problem for him, he continued a relentless attack against the SAM sites. When his plane was struck by the second missile directed at his aircraft, he successfully evaded the third SAM and prepared to retire from the target area. However, structural damage to his plane was severe and he was forced to eject. By his courageous actions, he contributed greatly to the success of the strike and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain James Patrick Mehl (NSN: 0-543070), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1967 to March 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 educator 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. (Captain Mehl is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 30, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Captain James Patrick Mehl (NSN: 0-543070), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 30, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 30, 1967 – March 4, 1973
(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 Captain James Patrick Mehl (NSN: 0-543070), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. 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.]