This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Pirie, James Glenn (POW), CAPT USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Bessemer
Last Address Bessemer, Alabama
Date of Passing May 09, 1998
Location of Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery - Bessemer, Alabama
U.S. Navy Captain James G. (Jim) Pirie was flying an A4E on his 225th mission over North Viet-Nam on 6-22 67, when his plane was hit with anti-aircraft firefrom the ground. CaptainPirie was able to eject and parachute safely to the ground; but then was captured by the North Viet Namese enemy forces and held in the infamous Hanoi Hilton for 5-1/2 years;
before being released on February 18th, 1973 in accord with the Hanoi Peace Agreement. Captain Pirie died suddenly on 10 May 1998 of a fatal heart attack. For his distinguished military service, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the Prisoner Of War medals.
At the time of his passing, Captain Pirie was in command of the U.S. Naval Training & Operations Center in New Orleans, LA. Upon cremation, Captain Pirie's remains were entombed at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Bessemer, Alabama.
James Pirie was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on June 22, 1967, and was held until his release on February 18, 1973.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] James Glenn Pirie (NSN: 0-4706294/614186), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 22 June 1967, while serving as a jet attack pilot with Attack Squadron NINETY-THREE (VA-93), embarked in U.S.S. HANCOCK (CVA-19), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. As the strike leader, Commander Pirie participated in an extremely successful strike against the Hai Duong Railway Bridge in North Vietnam. Penetrating into the heart of the enemy's heaviest defense area, in the van of the main strike group, he maneuvered his division into a precision dive attack. Commander Pirie pressed home his strike in the face of a veritable wall of enemy fire, scoring a direct hit while destroying one complete span of bridge. By his valiant leadership, courageous fighting spirit, and unflagging devotion to duty, Commander Pirie reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander James Glenn Pirie (NSN: 0-4706294/614186), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 22 June 1967 to 30 June 1967. Commander Pirie'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 Pirie 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 of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Commander James Glenn Pirie (NSN: 0-4706294/614186), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam form June 1967 to February 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Under constant harassment from their captors, and due to the frustrations of the prisoners during their long internment, many difficult situations arose, requiring perseverance, endurance and ingenuity. Using his extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and sound judgment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Pirie is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain James Glenn Pirie (NSN: 0-4706294/614186), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy with Commander, Naval Air Reserve Force from July 1982 through October 1984. Captain Pirie's superb leadership, dynamic organizational and managerial skills, and in-depth knowledge of Naval Reserve needs produced vital long-term and short-term programs that significantly enhanced mobilization readiness. His efforts were responsible for a continued increase in unit operational and material readiness. Captain Pirie's development of the horizontal integration modernization plan and coordination of POM issues ensured the continued effectiveness and improved capabilities of the Naval Air Reserve. Captain Pirie's aggressive management of fifty-two Naval Air Reserve squadrons operating fourteen separate types of aircraft resulted in all squadron training goals being met or exceeded. Under his guidance and direction, the medical, intelligence, and reinforcing and sustaining units within Commander, Naval Air Reserve Force showed a quantum increase in mobilization readiness. His efforts enabled the Naval Reserve to continue as a deterrent force with maximum mobilization readiness and potential. Captain Pirie's loyalty, noteworthy professional achievements, and complete dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Board Serial 1320 (October 4, 1984)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] James Glenn Pirie (NSN: 0-4706294/614186), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 6 May 1967, as a pilot of jet aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron NINETY-THREE (VA-93), embarked in U.S.S. HANCOCK (CVA-19), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. As Division leader of a flight of four aircraft which had completed a strike against enemy waterborne logistics craft in the vicinity of Qui Vinh, North Vietnam, Commander Pirie conducted a highly dangerous search and rescue operation for one of the pilots in his formation who had been downed in enemy territory. After initiating the search and rescue effort, Commander Pirie made repeated low-altitude passes over the site of the crash in an effort to locate the downed aviator. His final passes were skillfully executed at an extremely low altitude in the face of constant heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the surrounding area. Even though his aircraft sustained two hits from ground fire, Commander Pirie refused to break off his search until he was relieved by the rescue aircraft. His professional ability, outstanding airmanship, and courage in the face of grave personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] James Glenn Pirie (NSN: 0-4706294/614186), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 31 May 1967, as a pilot of jet aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron NINETY-THREE (VA-93), embarked in U.S.S. HANCOCK (CVA-19), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. As section leader of an "Ironhand" support flight, Commander Pirie participated in a twenty-five-aircraft strike against the strategically important Loi Dong and Cong My Petroleum Storage Complex three miles northwest of Haiphong, North Vietnam. When the first enemy surface-to-air missile was fired at the strike force, Commander Pirie immediately delivered his SHRIKE missile at the enemy site. Another enemy missile was fired from a different site and Commander Pirie again delivered his SHRIKE missile. His actions silenced both sites and there were no further radar emissions. By his courage in the face of grave danger, his outstanding airmanship, and his superb professional leadership, Commander Pirie contributed immeasurably to the success of a mission in which all aircraft returned safely. His performance was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
