Navy Federal Credit Union

John Buck was a member of the crew of 14 men on a B-29 (44-62217) that was attacked by 12 MiGs and shot down on a night mission to drop leaflets over enemy territory in Korea on January 13, 1953. All members were subsequently captured and transported to China, and charged with covert espionage among other things. They were held as Prisoners of War until 1955 when he and 10 of his comrades were released. The other three members of the crew, believed to have survived and also been held, remain unaccounted for and are listed as “Missing in Action.”

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    91st Air Re-Supply Squadron

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (China)

    Action Date:

    January 13, 1953 – August 4, 1955

    NARA Database: Repatriated Korean Conflict Prisoners of War, 7/5/1950 – 10/6/1954

    First Lieutenant John W. Buck, United States Air Force, was captured by communist forces after he was shot down over North Korea on 4 July 1952, and was held as a Prisoner of War in China, until his release on 4 August 1955.