John Pitchford was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on December 20, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.
Sponsored by:
John
Joseph
Pitchford
POW (RVN)
May 29, 1927
–
July 19, 1977
Cemetery:
Natchez City Cemetery
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 1965 – October 1971
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 Lieutenant Colonel John Joseph Pitchford (AFSN: 14172591), 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 December 1965 to October 1971. 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966 – December 1966
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 Lieutenant Colonel John Joseph Pitchford (AFSN: 14172591), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1966 to December 1966. 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1966
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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel John Joseph Pitchford (AFSN: 14172591), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during July 1966, 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. Lieutenant Colonel Pitchford 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1966
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 Lieutenant Colonel John Joseph Pitchford (AFSN: 14172591), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during March 1966. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 20, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel John Joseph Pitchford (AFSN: 14172591), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 20, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Silver Star
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 John Joseph Pitchford (AFSN: 14172591), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force over North Vietnam, on 20 December 1965. On that date, Captain Pitchford was tasked to search out and destroy surface-to-air missile emplacements which would menace a main force strike against a vital bridge complex deep within North Vietnam. Courageously pressing his attack through a hail of anti-aircraft fire which disabled his aircraft, Captain Pitchford determinedly and selflessly swept through hostile defenses to drop his bombs squarely on target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Pitchford has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Joseph Pitchford (AFSN: 14172591), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Pitchford culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.