Arvin ROY Chauncey

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal to Arvin Roy Chauncey (0-4664083/641788), Commander, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in June 1967. Commander Chauncey’s 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, Commander Chauncey reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Arvin Roy Chauncey (0-4664083/641788), Commander, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during an extremely daring escape from a Prisoner of War stockade on 31 May 1967. Upon being shot down and captured near Kep, North Vietnam, Commander Chauncey was taken to a series of Chinese-manned gunsites and threatened. In the evening, he was turned over to Vietnamese militia with his arms bound, and continually suffered severe treatment throughout the night. Awaiting the most propitious moment, he escaped into a heavy rainstorm and continued to run in the brush evading and outdistancing his captors. After the rain storm diminished, his captors formed a hand-to-hand search line and discovered him several hours later, at about daybreak. His distinctive act of heroism in risking his life in this daring escape is an inspiration to future American fighting men. Through his exceptional courage, determination, and inspiring fighting spirit, Commander Chauncey reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.