John Fer graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1962. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on February 4, 1967, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973. He retired in 1990 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.
Sponsored by:
John
Fer
POW (RVN)
September 12, 1937
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 5, 1967 – September 2, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain John Fer (AFSN: FR-63823), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period 5 August 1967 to 2 September 1967. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 28, 1968 – May 10, 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain John Fer (AFSN: FR-63823), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period 28 April 1968 to 28 April 1968. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1, 1971 – January 15, 1973
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain John Fer (AFSN: FR-63823), United States Air Force, for outstanding achievement in a position of leadership while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 March 1971 to 15 January 1973. This officer performed duties dealing in highly classified material while under constant surveillance of the enemy. He generated new ideas and improvised new techniques which greatly enhanced covert operations. His outstanding performance and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 4, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Captain John Fer (AFSN: FR-63823), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 4, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 15, 1982 – June 28, 1984
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel John Fer (AFSN: FR-63823), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, United States Air Force Academy Activities Group, Deputy Chief of Staff/Manpower and Personnel, Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, District of Columbia, from 15 July 1982 to 28 June 1984. In this vital assignment, Colonel Fer’s exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts as Academy Program Element Monitor ensured necessary operation and construction funds to educate the next generation of Air Force leaders. His insight and leadership resulted in fully integrated policies which effectively blended all Academy cadet admissions, retention, education, separation, and assignment policies with long-range Air Force personnel plans, contributing significantly to the future security of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Fer reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1967 – February 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 Major John Fer (AFSN: FR-63823), 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 February 1967 to February 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.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel John Fer, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Fer reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
July 1979 – July 1982
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel John Fer (AFSN: FR-63823), United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as the Principal Advisor for Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, from July 1979 through July 1982. Lieutenant Colonel Fer was a highly effective representative of the Department of Defense in a broad range of responsibilities relating to Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Affairs and he contributed significantly to the establishment and implementation of national policy regarding this extremely sensitive matter. Lieutenant Colonel Fer managed a program of the highest national priority and his efforts have led to significant progress with the Indo-Chinese governments on this humanitarian matter. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Fer reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 9, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major John Fer (AFSN: FR-63823), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 9 February 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. Major Fer 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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
41st Tactical Reconnaissance SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
February 4, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John Fer (AFSN: FR-63823), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a Pilot in the 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia, on 4 February 1967. On that date, Captain Fer led a flight of two unarmed electronic countermeasures support aircraft and four high cover aircraft into an extremely hazardous area to suppress radar controlled anti-aircraft artillery and Surface-to-Air missiles in support of strike aircraft. Aware of the possibility of lethal missile sites and hostile aircraft in the area, Captain Fer continued on the mission. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Fer has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.