Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Richard
Allen
Stratton
POW (RVN)
October 14, 1931

–

Richard Stratton enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard in 1947 and served for a year before going to college. Stratton went on Active Duty with the U.S. Navy on July 4, 1955, as an Aviation Cadet and was commissioned and became a Naval Aviator in 1957. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on January 5, 1967, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 5, 1967 – March 4, 1973

    Commander Richard Allen Stratton (NSN: 0-4771646), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 5, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    July 1979 – November 1981
    Board Serial 631 (June 16, 1982)

    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 Richard Allen Stratton (NSN: 0-4771646), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy for Operations at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland from July 1979 through November 1981. An extremely energetic and uncommonly dedicated leader, Captain Stratton performed his many and varied duties with invariably outstanding results. His inspirational presentations to numerous military and civic organizations enhanced the reputation of the Naval Academy and the Navy. Utilizing his experiences as a Prisoner of War, Captain Stratton served in a program of national importance as a counselor to the families of Embassy personnel held hostage in Iran. His pioneering efforts in the area of family services led to a unique command Ombudsman Council that materially improved the quality of life for families in the Annapolis Area Complex. By his outstanding leadership, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Stratton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1967

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Richard Allen Stratton (NSN: 0-4771646), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during January 1967. Commander Stratton’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 Stratton 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 Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 5, 1967 – March 4, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Richard Allen Stratton (NSN: 0-4771646), 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 5 January 1967 to 4 March 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.]

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    January 1982 – May 1986

    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 Richard Allen Stratton (NSN: 0-4771646), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Naval Academy Preparatory School, Naval Education and Training Center, Newport, Rhode Island from January 1982 to May 1986. Captain Stratton brought inspiration and vision to all aspects of the program. Under his leadership, new frontiers were opened in academics, including the development of a computer science curriculum and the creation of a multi-purpose science laboratory. Through innovation and tenacity, he utilized limited resources to develop a quality interscholastic athletic program. By his strict adherence to his personal high standards and his impeccable example, Captain Stratton left an indelible mark on over one thousand young men and women entering the Naval Academy. The success of these young professionals was exhibited in their high rate of achievement at the Naval Academy. In addition to the demanding responsibilities of his directorship, Captain Stratton lectured extensively to military and professional schools and organizations on leadership, ethics, and the Code of Conduct. He was an inspiring voice for the accounting of missing servicemen from the Vietnam Conflict. By his astute management, exemplary performance, and loyal devotion to duty, Captain Stratton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 5, 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 Commander Richard Allen Stratton (NSN: 0-4771646), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 5 January 1967 to 4 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.]