Navy Federal Credit Union

Peter Camerota was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on December 22, 1972 and was held until his release on March 29, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 22, 1972 – March 29, 1973

    Captain Peter Paul Camerota (AFSN: FV-3220326), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 22, 1972 until his release on March 29, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 1972 – March 1973

    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 Peter Paul Camerota (AFSN: FV-3220326), 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 the period December 1972 to March 1973. 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    December 22, 1972

    Department of the Air Force, Special Orders GB-0386

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Peter Paul Camerota (AFSN: FV-3220326), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a B-52 Electronic Warfare Officer in Southeast Asia on 22 December 1972. On that date, Captain Camerota participated in high priority bombing missions against vital military targets in heavily defended areas of North Vietnam. Despite the intensity of the hostile defensive reactions and the grave threat that they posed, Captain Camerota displayed extraordinary courage and an outstanding ability to perform under stress as he placed the mission requirements above his personal safety while successfully countering each threat, thereby enabling his crew to complete their ordnance release on the designated targets. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Camerota reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.