John A. Dramesi

Infobox Military Person
name=John A. Dramesi
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allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Air Force
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battles=Vietnam War
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laterwork=Colonel John A. Dramesi is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who was held as a prisoner of war at the Hanoi Hilton in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.Reynolds, Jon A., [http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/aureview/1977/mar-apr/reynolds.html Question of Honor] , Air University Review, Vol. XXVIII, No. 3 (March-April 1977): 104-110.] He was held along with Senator John McCain and has critcized McCain's conduct as a prisoner and after release.Dickinson, Tim, [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23316912/makebelieve_maverick/print Make-Believe Maverick] , Rolling Stone, October 2008.]

While a prisoner, Dramesi twice attempted to escape, without success. On the second occasion, his partner, Edwin Atterbury, was killed, and the entire prison population was subjected to "barbaric" reprisals. Plans for a third escape attempt, to be assisted by Navy SEALs in Operation Thunderhead, were cancelled after the SEALs were injured, and one killed, when jumping from a helicopter.Eisman, Dale, [http://hamptonroads.com/2008/02/navy-honors-seal-killed-secret-mission-vietnam Navy honors SEAL killed in secret mission in Vietnam] , The Virginian-Pilot, Feb. 26, 2008.]

Dramesi was released in 1973. Following his release, he continued his career in the Air Force, serving as a planner for U.S. forces in Europe and as commander of a wing of the Strategic Air Command.

References

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* Dramesi, John A., "Code of Honor". New York: Norton, 1975. ISBN 0-446-36055-4.
* Rochester, Stuart and Frederick Kiley, "Honor Bound: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia, 1961-1973". Naval Institute Press: 2007. ISBN 1-591-14738-7.
* Stockdale, Sybil, "In Love and War: The Story of a Family's Ordeal and Sacrifice During the Vietnam Years". Naval Institute Press, 1990. ISBN 1-557-50784-8.

External Links

[http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/d/d059.htm POW Network biography]