John Arthur Dramesi (February 12, 1933 – September 17, 2017) was a United States Air Force (USAF) colonel who was held as a prisoner of war from 2 April 1967 to 4 March 1973 in both Hoa Lo Prison, known as "The Hanoi Hilton", and Cu Loc Prison, "The Zoo", during the Vietnam War.[1]
Dramesi was the last living multiple recipient of the Air Force Cross and one of only four members of the USAF to be twice awarded the Air Force Cross. The first was for the mission on which he was shot down and captured, 2 April 1967, and the second for the six-month period following his second escape and recapture, from May to November 1969, when he was beaten and tortured.[2] He also received an award of the Silver Star for gallantry during an escape on 10 May 1967 and the weeks following his recapture, when he also was beaten and tortured.
While other prisoners of war (POWs) were coerced into cooperating with the enemy, Dramesi steadfastly refused, declining to make propaganda recordings or write letters for the enemy.[3]
During his 59th bombing mission, on 2 April 1967, Dramesi was forced to eject from his crippled aircraft over North Vietnam. He twisted his knee upon landing and engaged in a gun battle with North Vietnamese soldiers. When Dramesi was captured, he'd been shot in the right leg.[8]
On 10 April 1967, while being transported to formal prison facilities, Dramesi dismantled the side of his cell while his guards were sleeping. He was recaptured 9 miles away the following day. After being severely beaten he was transferred by truck to Hoa Lo Prison, known as "The "Hanoi Hilton", and then to "The Zoo," both in the Hanoi prison system.[8]
Second escape
After more than a year of preparation, Dramesi's second escape took place on 10 May 1969, when he and fellow prisoner, USAF Captain Edwin Lee Atterberry, climbed through a hole in the roof of the prison. Recaptured the following day, they had traveled 3 miles in 12 hours.[1]
Reprisals for the escape were brutal. Dramesi described being beaten, starved, injured and subjected to sleep deprivation over the next 38 days—longer than any other prisoner. Atterberry, who received similar treatment, died in captivity on 18 May 1969. The North Vietnamese guards not only tormented the two escapees, but also systematically abused the entire prison populace.[8]
Operation Thunderhead and plans for a third escape
A result of the 1969 escape was that American officers in the prison objected to further attempts unless they could meet stringent conditions, including outside help. Planning escapes did not cease, but the actual attempts were put on hold.[8]
Dramesi and other prisoners continued to hide food, clothing and supplies for another escape they code named "Tiger." They planned to steal a boat, move down the Red River and meet with Navy SEALs in the Gulf of Tonkin. Prison senior leadership vetoed the planned escape, fearing more harsh reprisals from their captors. Dramesi and the others on the escape committee were furious, but obeyed orders.[9]
The Navy rescue action, called Operation Thunderhead, was cancelled after the SEALs were injured, and one killed, jumping from a helicopter in June 1972.[10]
In February and March 1973, Dramesi was one of 591 American prisoners repatriated following the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.[8]
Freedom flag
In 1971, while imprisoned, Dramesi created an American flag in secret, using scraps of cloth and thread acquired from the prison and fellow POWs. The POWs saluted this homemade flag, Stars and Stripes with gold trim embroidered on a white handkerchief, while in captivity. Upon release, press photographers shot images of Dramesi holding the flag out the window of a bus carrying POWs near Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines in March 1973.[11]
The flag was displayed again in Washington D.C., on 24 May 1973, when the White House held a dinner for 1,300 guests including the 591 Vietnam POWs. The Honor Guard at the event presented Dramesi's flag as the band played "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Code of the U.S. Fighting Force (POW Code of Conduct)
Dramesi followed the Code of the U.S. Fighting Force to the letter, never cooperating more than stating his name, rank, service number and date of birth (article V of the Code) as well as resisting when possible (article II) and escaping (article III).[9]
Dramesi's steadfast adherence to the Code necessitated a later shift in the interpretation of the articles governing the behavior of American prisoners of war. The Code was created with the understanding that captors would observe the minimum provisions of the Geneva Conventions governing POWs. Changes in The Code after Vietnam allowed military prisoners to resist "to the upmost of [their] ability," recognizing that most captives could be "broken" under the threat of extreme torture or even death.[13]
Dramesi never broke under torture. He later criticized his fellow prisoners' conduct.[14]John McCain, with whom he was imprisoned, would later hail Dramesi as "one of the toughest guys I've ever met."[2]
Code of Honor memoir
In 1975, Dramesi published his memoir, entitled Code of Honor. In the book, he related his experiences as a prisoner, which included critical passages regarding the conduct of a number of his fellow POWs, and tells in detail of his escapes. The book also includes Dramesi's "Realized Word Relationships," reflections and personal definitions refined in order to better understand oneself and life's values, while imprisoned in North Vietnam for six years.[8] Some examples:
"A hero is one who, being master of himself, masters the situation avoided by others."
"To be aware of time and denied freedom is man's worst torment.
"Nationalism is the individual's transition to a greater unity."
"Without purpose man is like an egg without its filling. Like that shell, he will crumble under the slightest pressure."
"In death and adventure, if you go far enough, there will be light."
Post war
John Dramesi's USAF portrait.
After the Vietnam War, Dramesi attended the Industrial College for the Armed Forces and then went back into Air Force active duty, piloting F-111 Aardvark fighter-bombers.[15]
Dramesi later served as the director of combat operations with Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, then the chief of the Tactical Forces Division on the staff of Headquarters U.S. Air Force at the Pentagon, and later commanded the 509th Bomb Wing at Pease AFB, New Hampshire. He retired as a colonel in 1982, as one of the most highly decorated officers in the United States Air Force.[15]
Later life
In 1982, Dramesi ran as a Republican for the Congressional seat held by James Florio, and switched parties in 1990 to run in the Democratic primary to fill Florio's then-vacant seat following his election as Governor of New Jersey.[16]
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Colonel [then Captain] John Arthur Dramesi, United States 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 anti-aircraft 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.
Second award
Colonel John A. Dramesi
U.S. Air Force
For actions while a prisoner of war, U.S. Air Force
Date of Action: May 1969 to December 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Cross to Colonel John Arthur Dramesi, United States 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.
^Schwartz, Eric. "From POW to VIP, Bulldawgs Wrestler Dramesi Returns to Haddonfield", Haddonfield-Haddon Township, NJ, Patch, January 18, 2013. Accessed February 20, 2023. "John Dramesi wasn’t the best wrestler when he first took to the mat as part of the inaugural 1948-49 Haddonfield Memorial High School wrestling team."
^Powell, Stuart M., "Honor Bound" Article in Air Force Magazine, August 1999.
^Sipress, Alan. "Each Party Sees Chance To Seize Florio's Seat", The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 30, 1990. Accessed July 20, 2011. "Also seeking the Democratic nomination is John A. Dramesi, 57, of Blackwood. A former prisoner of war in Vietnam, Dramesi said he was asked to run by senior citizens and fellow veterans. Until this winter, Dramesi was a Republican and ran against Florio for Congress in 1982.... Dramesi, who retired from the Air Force in 1982 as a colonel, said he exceeded his opponents in expertise in national-security affairs."
Further reading
Dramesi, John A., Code of Honor. New York: Norton, 1975. ISBN0-446-36055-4.
Rochester, Stuart and Frederick Kiley, Honor Bound: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia, 1961–1973. Naval Institute Press: 2007. ISBN1-59114-738-7.
Stockdale, Sybil, In Love and War: The Story of a Family's Ordeal and Sacrifice During the Vietnam Years. Naval Institute Press, 1990. ISBN1-55750-784-8.
