Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
David
Robert
Wheat
POW (RVN)
December 16, 1939

–

David Wheat graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1963, and entered the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate program. During the Vietnam War he was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 17, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June 2, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander David Robert Wheat (NSN: 0-5982497/677374), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 2 June 1966. Lieutenant Commander Wheat’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, Lieutenant Commander Wheat reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]

    Batallion:

    Fighter Squadron 41 (VF-41)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Independence (CVA-62)

    Action Date:

    October 17, 1965

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] David Robert Wheat (NSN: 0-5982497/677374), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 17 October 1965, while serving with Fighter Squadron FORTY-ONE (VF-41), embarked in U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. Lieutenant Commander Wheat participated in a highly successful strike against an important highway bridge and a surface-to-air missile site in North Vietnam. Assigned a target combat air patrol mission, he was charged with the responsibility for screening the strike groups of two aircraft carriers from enemy fighter opposition. Following the first strike, his flight remained on station in the target area for twenty-five minutes providing protective cover for the second group, despite anti-aircraft fire and repeated missile warnings. Through his professional skill and courage, Lieutenant Commander Wheat contributed significantly to the successful defense of the two strike groups. His heroic performance under heavy fire from the enemy was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 17, 1965 – February 12, 1973

    Lieutenant Commander David Robert Wheat (NSN: 0-5982497/677374), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 17, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    August 1969 – January 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander David Robert Wheat (NSN: 0-5982497/677374), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1969 to January 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.]

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 1965 – February 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander David Robert Wheat (NSN: 0-5982497/677374), United States Naval Reserve, 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 October 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. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Wheat is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)