Peter Schoefel graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1954. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 4, 1967 and was held until his release on March 14, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Peter
Vanruyter
Schoefel
POW (RVN)
July 17, 1932
–
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 8 – March 15, 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Peter Vanruyter Schoefel (NSN: 0-584717), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 8 February 1971 to 15 March 1971. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1969 – January 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Peter Vanruyter Schoefel (NSN: 0-584717), United States Navy, 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 August 1969 to January 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Schoefel is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 15 (VA-15)Division:
U.S.S. Intrepid (CVS-11)Action Date:
October 9, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Peter Vanruyter Schoefel (NSN: 0-584717), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 9 October 1966 as a pilot in Attack Squadron FIFTEEN (VA-15), embarked in U.S.S. INTREPID (CVS-11). As the Section Leader in the lead division of a flight of three A-1B aircraft comprising the attack element, Commander Schoeffel participated in a multi air-wing strike against the heavily defended Phu Ly rail yard in North Vietnam. Approaching the target, the flight was forced to use evasive maneuvers due to intense anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missile and enemy fighter aircraft warnings in the immediate vicinity. In spite of this formidable enemy opposition, Commander Schoeffel was able to maintain flight integrity and accurately deliver his ordnance directly upon the assigned target. During retirement from the target area, he was forced to continue using maximum evasive tactics as surface-to-air missile warnings continued and the strike element was attacked by enemy MiG-21 fighter aircraft. Through his outstanding airmanship, determination, and coolness in the face of intense hostile fire, Commander Schoeffel contributed materially to the success of the strike. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Peter Vanruyter Schoefel (NSN: 0-584717), United States Navy, 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 October 1967 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Further, as an educator to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Schoefel is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 8 – March 15, 1971
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Peter Vanruyter Schoefel (NSN: 0-584717), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. 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.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Peter Vanruyter Schoefel (NSN: 0-584717), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in October 1967. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 4, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Commander Peter Vanruyter Schoefel (NSN: 0-584717), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 4, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.