Wendell Rivers graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1952. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on September 19, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Wendell
Burke
Rivers
POW (RVN)
July 6, 1928
–
May 9, 2009
Cemetery:
Seward Cemetery
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1971 – 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 Captain Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), 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 September 1971 to February 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 Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain Rivers 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:
September 19, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Captain Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 19, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 19, 1965 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), 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 19 September 1965 to 12 February 1973. Under the most adverse 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 serves as both an educator and 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.]
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 14 – 15, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 14 to 15 July 1966. Captain Rivers’ 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, Captain Rivers reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 155 (VA-155)Division:
U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)Action Date:
April 3, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Lieutenant Commander] Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in aerial flight on 3 April 1965 as pilot of a jet attack aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43), during air strikes on the Dong Phong Thuong Bridge in North Vietnam. Captain Rivers demonstrated courage and expert airmanship in the face of adverse weather conditions while leading a nine-plane formation against the objective for the second time that day. During the attack, his aircraft suffered a crippling hit causing it to lose a critical amount of fuel. Captain Rivers successfully refueled in flight and safely returned to his aircraft carrier. His outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout 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:
February 1968 – July 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 1968 to July 1969. 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.]