Code of Honor

Lt. Colonel John A. Dramesi

ISBN 10: 0393055337 / ISBN 13: 9780393055337

Published by W. W. Norton & Company, 1975

About this Item

SIGNED and inscribed by author (*.a good soldier is a man aware of the cause and willing to make the necessary sacrifices.* VERY GOOD in a good dust jacket. DJ is unclipped and has small closed tears and small chips. No marks in text. Binding is tight and square. Small stain on front edge. 271 pages ; 21 cm. . . . . . . . John Dramesi was a highly decorated United States Air Force officer and Vietnam War prisoner of war. He flew F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers. On April 2, 1967, while on his 59th combat mission, he was shot down over North Vietnam, wounded, and captured. Over nearly six years of captivity in both Hoa Lo Prison (*The Hanoi Hilton*) and Cu Loc Prison (*The Zoo*), Dramesi became known for his fierce resistance, strict adherence to the POW Code of Conduct, and multiple escape attempts. His first escape, in April 1967, ended in recapture and severe beatings. His second, more famous attempt in May 1969 and was recaptured and endured 38 days of brutal treatment. Dramesi is one of only four USAF members to receive the Air Force Cross twice. He also received the Silver Star, five Purple Hearts, and other decorations for his gallantry. After being released in 1973, he resumed his Air Force career, eventually commanding the 509th Bomb Wing and retiring as a colonel in 1982. In 1975, Dramesi published his memoir, Code of Honor, critically recounting his POW experiences and escape attempts. His unwavering resistance and high standards made him a legend among fellow POWs; Senator John McCain described him as *one of the toughest guys I?ve ever met.*.

Seller Inventory # 2507240003

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Code of Honor
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Publication Date: 1975
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0393055337
• ISBN 13: 9780393055337
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Good
• Weight: 17 ounces
• Seller catalogs:
  • History::Vietnam

About this title

Synopsis

Colonel John Arthur Dramesi (born February 12, 1933) 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. Dramesi is one of the very few captives who never broke under torture. He was held along with Senator John McCain and has criticized McCain's conduct as a prisoner and after release. McCain would later hail him as "one of the toughest guys I've ever met." Dramesi has also criticized the conduct of a number of his fellow POWs. He was shot down over North Vietnam and captured on 1 April 1967. 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. 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, commander of the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying the F-111F Aardvark, and as commander of the 509th Bomb Wing (Strategic Air Command), Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire. While the commander of the 390th TFS, his autobiography, "Code of Honor" which was initially published in 1975 and again in 1990. He retired in 1982 with the rank of colonel.