Charles Gillespie Charles Gillespie graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1951. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 24, 1967, and was held until his release on March 14, 1973. He died in the crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2 on February 28, 1989.
Sponsored by:
Charles
Rodgers
Gillespie
Jr.
POW (RVN)
1929-02-24
–
1989-02-28
Born:
Meridian
,
Mississippi
Home:
Meridian
,
Mississippi
Buried:
Arlington
,
Virginia
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 24, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Commander Charles Rodgers Gillespie, Jr. (NSN: 0-542951), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 24, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1967 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Charles Rodgers Gillespie, Jr. (NSN: 0-542951), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 1967 to December 1970 and from October 1972 to February 1973. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intra-camp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods in communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners in resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving their 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 United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain Gillespie is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Batallion:
Fighter Squadron 151 (VF-151)Division:
U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)Action Date:
September 17, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] Charles Rodgers Gillespie, Jr. (NSN: 0-542951), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 17 September 1967 as a Pilot in Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE (VF-151), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). Captain Gillespie was the leader of a division of five F-4B aircraft assigned a flak-suppression mission as part of a major air-wing strike against the strategic and heavily defended Haiphong railway and highway bridge in North Vietnam. He provided a brilliantly conceived plan for the strike leader whish greatly increased the effectiveness of his limited number of flak-suppressor aircraft and ensured maximum protection to both elements of the main strike force. Approaching the target area, Captain Gillespie led his division which silenced the initially assigned sites. He then led his division into a second attack, striking and silencing four additional, highly active 85-mm. gun emplacements located along the strike group’s escape route. By his precisely conceived, meticulously planned, and expertly executed flak-suppression plan, Captain Gillespie provided maximum protection for both strike elements of the main striking force, allowing them to inflict severe damage to a vital enemy target and ultimately exit safely from the target area. His professional leadership, outstanding airmanship, and courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Batallion:
Fighter Squadron 151 (VF-151)Division:
U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)Action Date:
September 26, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] Charles Rodgers Gillespie, Jr. (NSN: 0-542951), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight on 26 September 1967 as a pilot in Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE (VF-151), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). As the strike leader of a thirty-two-plane, air-wing strike on the strategic Kien An railroad/highway bridges at the heavily defended city of Haiphong, North Vietnam, Captain Gillespie displayed exceptional competence and aggressive leadership in the planning and execution of this strike. En route to the target, he expertly navigated the entire strike group above a cloud layer that completely obscured the coast line and the vital coastal entry point, utilizing his aircraft weapons system radar for navigational purposes. Arriving in the target area, he deployed the two elements of the main striking force, and accelerated his division ahead of the attacking aircraft to initiate devastating runs on four active flak sites at the target. Despite continuous and accurate artillery fire, Captain Gillespie courageously and daringly maneuvered his division in a second attack on four additional sites. By his brilliantly planned and professionally led strikes, he contributed in large measure to the heavy damage inflicted on both targets, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Fighter Squadron 151 (VF-151)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
June 30, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Charles Rodgers Gillespie, Jr. (NSN: 0-542951), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a jet aircraft attached to and serving with Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE (VF-151), embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64) on 30 June 1966. Commander Gillespie led a division of F-4B aircraft on a Barrier Combat Air Control mission as part of a major Air Wing strike on a strategic ground control intercept radar site near the heavily defended airfield at Kep, North Vietnam. While escorting the strike group into enemy territory, he called the position of previously unseen flak bursts close to the rear elements of the force, enabling them to take quick evasive action and saving them from damage. He then, despite deteriorating weather and while constantly exposed to attack from surface-to-air missiles and enemy aircraft, skillfully led his fighter group in a daring sweep through the area of highest enemy air threat west of Kep. Encountering intense, radar directed anti-aircraft artillery throughout the area, Commander Gillespie courageously continued on his mission after his aircraft was hit by an unusually fierce barrage of flak, leaving the area only after all strike aircraft had safely retired. His effective fighter sweep gave essential protection from enemy aircraft at airfields only minutes away from the target to the strike force and was a vital factor in assuring the success of the mission and the ultimate safe recovery of all aircraft. Commander Gillespie’s superb leadership, expert airmanship, and heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Board Serial 826 (July 12, 1983)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Charles Rodgers Gillespie, Jr. (NSN: 0-542951), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Range Directorate, Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, California from October 1982 through June 1983. Captain Gillespie’s inspirational leadership, exceptional management abilities, and personal dedicating were instrumental factors in achieving major improvements in the performance and capabilities of the Pacific Missile Test Center Range and to this Center’s organization. Through his personal direction of the weapon system test program on the Range, Fleet units were provided with the most capable and reliable missiles possible and the most advanced, realistic targets against which they could engage. Under Captain Gillespie’s management, the Range actively pursued development of major new range systems which will be required to properly test outyear weapons. Major achievements include the acquisition and implementation of the Navy’s Pacific TRIDENT missile test configuration and development of the Extended Area Test system which will significantly expand the Pacific Missile Test Center Range capabilities for Test and Evaluation operations in keeping with increasing demands. By his distinctive accomplishments, perceptive judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Gillespie reflected great credit upon himself and upheld 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 to Captain Charles Rodgers Gillespie, Jr. (NSN: 0-542951), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Naval Air Test Center, as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, and as Deputy Commander, Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, from June 1975 through December 1981. An extremely competent and resourceful leader, Captain Gillespie contributed immeasurably to the testing and evaluating of the Navy’s newest aircraft and their components during three consecutive tours in this area. Through his extraordinary knowledge of naval aviation, budgeting, manpower, and facilities, and his unwavering determination to attain the most efficient, effective, and versatile aircraft and their weapons for the naval service, Captain Gillespie led the Naval Air Test Center to achieve the utmost return for its manpower and funds. Through his commitment to retention and welfare of naval personnel and their dependents, he spearheaded a drive that resulted in improvement of housing, messing, and recreational facilities, and instituted leadership management training courses available to all petty officers at this complex. Captain Gillespie executed the policies of the Commander, Naval Air Test Center, with complete dedication and extreme loyalty. By his distinctive achievements, astuteness, and unfaltering devotion to duty, Captain Gillespie reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 24, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Charles Rodgers Gillespie, Jr. (NSN: 0-542951), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. On 24 October 1967, his captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, 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.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Charles Rodgers Gillespie, Jr. (NSN: 0-542951), 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 October 1967 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain Gillespie is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)