Admiral Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., USN, was awarded the Navy Cross in recognition of his extraordinary heroism while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnamese from February 1966 to May 1966. Under constant pressure North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempts to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. During this prolonged period of physical and mental agony, he heroically resisted cruelties and continued to promulgate resistance policy and detailed instructions. Forced to attend a press conference with the Japanese correspondent, he blinked out a distress message in Morse code at the television camera and was understood by United States Navel Intelligence. When his courageous act was reported to the North Vietnamese, he was again subjected to severe brutalities. Displaying extraordinary skill, fearless dedication to duty, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. Admiral Denton, then a commader, was taken prisoner after his aircraft was struck by enemy fire over North Vietnam in February, 1965. His great resolution while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam was a source of inspiration to his fellow Americans and caused the Vietnamese to moderate their brutal treatment of U.S. captives. For his exceptionally meritorious service in a position of great responsibility as Senior Ranking Officer in two of the infamous prison camps, he was given the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Note: Admiral Denton was the senior P.O.W. aboard the plane load of released P.O.W.ís on February 12, 1972. Enroute to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, he was informed that he would be expected to say something on behalf of the group with him. He wrote a few lines, asked the men to listen to what he wrote and give him a ìthumbs upî if the message represented the position of the group, ìthumbs downî if it did not. He received a ìthumbs up.î The following statement was made: ìWe are proud to have had the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances. We are profoundly grateful to our Commander-in-Chief and to our Nation for this day.î Then came the words not written on the plan, but which poured out under the emotion pull of the moment ñ ìGod Bless America.î

Admiral Denton joined the Legion of Valor in 1975.