John Arthur Dramesi

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Cross to John Arthur Dramesi (FR-65320), Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1969 to November 1969. For a full year, Colonel Dramesi planned an escape from a North Vietnamese prison camp near the edge of the city of Hanoi and escaped on the evening of 10 May 1969. Though later recaptured, this escape resulted in great embarrassment to the enemy and materially lifted the morale of all American prisoners in the camp. Though severely tortured, Colonel Dramesi refused to give information or submit to any demands. Many more brutalities were heaped upon him, and he remained in irons for six months. By his extraordinary heroism, loyalty, and discipline in the face of the enemy, Colonel Dramesi reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to John Arthur Dramesi (FR-65320), Colonel [then Captain], U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam, on 2 April 1967. On that date, Captain Dramesi was the leader of a flight of F-105 aircraft scheduled to strike a suspected surface-to-air missile site and perform reconnaissance of a hostile highway. Although intelligence reports indicated the area contained a heavy concentration of 37-mm. and 5-mm. flak position, deadly antiaircraft guns, and possible missile fire, Captain Dramesi successfully executed his attack and placed all ordnance on target. He then began his low level reconnaissance of the highway. When only a few miles from his target, his aircraft was hit by an intense barrage of ground fire and immediately burst into flames, forcing him to eject into the hostile jungle. Immediately after ejecting from his aircraft, Captain Dramesi acted as a ground forward air controller, pointing out targets and safest approaches. Repeated rescue attempts were met with withering fire from the ground. As the ground and air battle raged on, he continued to request ordnance, giving corrections which brought each successive strike closer to his own position. The last correction he had given brought the ordnance within a few meters of his last known position and no further transmissions were received from him. By his selfless and heroic concern for the rescue crews in the air, and his continued request for close ordnance delivery, Captain Dramesi displayed outstanding courage and exemplified the highest traditions and standards of the American fighting man’s code. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and calm aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Dramesi reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.