Captain John Franklin Dick (AFSN: 0-775827), United States Air Force, was captured by communist forces after he was shot down over North Korea on February 22, 1952, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on 4 September 1953, during Operation Big Switch at the end of the war.
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Korea)Action Date:
February 22, 1952 – September 4, 1953
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Captain John Franklin Dick (AFSN: 0-775827), United States Air Force, for meritorious service to the United States from 22 February 1952 to 4 September 1953, while a prisoner of war in North Korea. Although subject to extreme privation, meager rations, forced marches, incessant interrogations, brutal beatings, sadistic torture, long periods of solitary confinement and threatened execution, Captain Dick, by his indomitable courage and resolute resistance completely defeated any attempt of the North Koreans and Chinese Communists to obtain security information they desired. His exemplary conduct and unequivocal conviction that the forces of freedom would ultimately prevail over an enemy ruthlessly avowed to destroy the independence of mankind, encouraged and inspired other prisoners to resist the insidious demands of their captors. By his outstanding leadership, heroic self-sacrifice and ceaseless opposition to the North Koreans and Chinese Communists, Captain Dick has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.