Navy Federal Credit Union

John Downey was one of our civilians shot down over China on November 28, 1952. He and one comrade survived and were held as Prisoners by the Chinese until their negotiated release two decades later. Subsequent to their release, the U.S. Government acknowledged that the men were members of the Central Intelligence Agency. The body of one other civilian was recovered in 2005 and the fourth remains unaccounted for.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Civilian

    Rank:

    Mr.

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (China)

    Action Date:

    November 28, 1952 – March 12, 1973

    John T. Downey, a United States Civilian serving with the Central Intelligence Agency, was captured after his C-47 aircraft was shot from over China on 28 November 1952, and was held as a prisoner of the Chinese until his release on 12 March 1973.
    (NOTE: As a civilian he is NOT authorized the POW Medal, but is listed by the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office as a Cold War POW.)