Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Richard
Charles
Brenneman
POW (RVN)
March 25, 1942

–

Born:

Mishawaka

, 

Indiana

Home:

Mishawaka

, 

Indiana

Richard Brenneman was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on November 8, 1967, and was held until his release on March 14, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 8, 1967 – March 14, 1973

    Captain Richard Charles Brenneman (AFSN: FV-3158661), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 8, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 1967 – November 1970

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Richard Charles Brenneman (AFSN: FV-3158661), United States Air Force, 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 November 1967 to November 1970. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 13, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Richard Charles Brenneman (AFSN: FV-3158661), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force, on 13 November 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions and propaganda materials. Captain Brenneman resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    555th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    November 8, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Richard Charles Brenneman (AFSN: FV-3158661), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-4D pilot with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action against the enemy in hostile territory on 8 November 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Brenneman was flying his first mission into North Vietnam as the second element lead in a MiG screen for ingressing flights. After successfully countering a direct attack by hostile aircraft, his aircraft was hit by an air-to-air missile. All attacks by hostile aircraft were countered from reaching the strike force. Were it not for Lieutenant Brenneman’s courageous and skillful efforts to remain in a protective cover position, the ingressing flights would have been endangered. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Brenneman reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.