Arthur Black was Pararescueman of “Dutchy 41”, a rescue helicopter participating in the SAR for ESSEX 04, an F-105D piloted by Captain Willis E. Forby, who was captured when his aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed. After “Dutchy 41” crashed Captain Duane Martin (Pilot) evaded and made his way to Laos and was captured by the Pathet Lao. Captain Thomas Curtis (Senior Pilot) and two enlisted crewman, Airman First Class William Robinson (Flight Mechanic), and Airman Third Class Black were captured after the crash and held in North Vietnam until they were repatriated on February 27, 1973, after seven years in captivity. All four members of the crew were awarded the Air Force Cross. While in captivity Arthur Black accepted a field commission from the Senior Ranking POW. With Bill Robinson, Arthur Black shares the record as the longest-held enlisted American Prisoner of War in history. He retired as a Pilot and U.S. Air Force Major on February 1, 1987.
Sponsored by:
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Air Force Cross
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 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 First Lieutenant Arthur Neil Black (AFSN: 0-12666475), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during July 1966. The North Vietnamese 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 this 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1965 – September 1968
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 First Lieutenant Arthur Neil Black (AFSN: 0-12666475), 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 September 1965 to September 1968. 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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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Airman Third ClassBatallion:
38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
September 20, 1965
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Airman Third Class Arthur Neil Black (AFSN: 0-12666475), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Pararescueman on an HH-43B helicopter of Detachment 3, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, in action 40 miles south of Vinh, North Vietnam on 20 September 1965. On that date, Airman Black participated in an extremely hazardous attempted recovery of a downed pilot. This mission required a flight of over 80 miles, mostly over hostile controlled territory. Evaluation of the environment in which the downed pilot was located indicated that maximum performance would be demanded from each crewmember if successful recovery was to be effected. Though exposed to intensive hostile ground fire, Airman Black, with complete disregard for his own safety, performed with courage and professional precision in a supreme effort to rescue a fallen comrade. Airman Black’s courageous action and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the American fighting man under attack by an opposing armed force. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Airman Black reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in awarding the Defense Superior Service Medal to Major Arthur Neil Black (AFSN: 0-12666475), United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as Air Operations Officer and Chief, Operations Support, Air Team, United States Military Liaison Mission to the Commander-in-Chief, Group of Soviet Forces, Germany, from January 1984 to January 1987. Major Black’s outstanding dedication, operational expertise, and mission awareness contributed significantly to the critical mission of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Black culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 20, 1965 – February 12, 1973
First Lieutenant Arthur Neil Black (AFSN: 0-12666475), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 20, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1967 – October 1967
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 First Lieutenant Arthur Neil Black (AFSN: 0-12666475), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam from August 1967 to October 1967. 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 the United States Air Force.