photo #1112344

Captain John Dramesi was shot down in his F-105 Thunderchief on 2 April, 1967. He survived the fall to earth, and began directing more airstrikes all around him from the ground and calling out threats to aircraft attempting to rescue him. His last radio transmission called in a strike on top of his own position, then the radio went silent. For his unselfish actions, he was awarded his first Air Force Cross. The pilots overhead couldn't see the gun battle beneath them. Captain Dramesi fought the approaching NVA, but was shot through the leg and captured as a POW. Despite his leg wound, a week later Dramesi dismantled the side of his cell in the night and escaped. His wound slowed him down and he was recaptured the following day. As punishment, the North Vietnamese Army took Captain Dramesi to the "Hanoi Hilton" where he was beaten and tortured. He spent over a year planning his next escape. In May 1969, John Dramesi and another prisoner climbed through a hole in the prison roof. Again, however, he was recaptured the following day. This time the beatings and torture were even more severe. He was subjected to starvation and sleep deprivation for over a month, but he refused to break. For his incredible endurance and example during the period following his second recapture, Dramesi was awarded his 2nd Air Force Cross. He remained a POW for nearly 6 years, until 4 March, 1973. When he returned to the U.S., he presented President Nixon with an American flag he secretly made during his captivity. In addition to his 2 Air Force Crosses, Captain John Dramesi received a Silver Star, 3 Bronze Stars, and 5 Purple Hearts. He passed away in September 2017 at the age of 84.???? Rest in Peace.