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Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Rivers, Wendell Burke (Wendy)(Silverstar)(POW), CAPT.
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POW of North Vietnam September 10, 1965 to February 12, 1973
Spent 2,712 days in Captiveity
Wendy retired from the United States Navy on December 30, 1976. After his retirement, Wendy drove a truck for 20 years, until he passed away on May 9, 2009. He was buried at the Seward Cemetery, Seward, Nebraska.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 14 to 15 July 1966. Captain Rivers' 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, Captain Rivers reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam.
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 with Combat "V" to Captain Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 1971 to February 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain Rivers is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Lieutenant Commander] Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in aerial flight on 3 April 1965 as pilot of a jet attack aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VA-155) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43), during air strikes on the Dong Phong Thuong Bridge in North Vietnam. Captain Rivers demonstrated courage and expert airmanship in the face of adverse weather conditions while leading a nine-plane formation against the objective for the second time that day. During the attack, his aircraft suffered a crippling hit causing it to lose a critical amount of fuel. Captain Rivers successfully refueled in flight and safely returned to his aircraft carrier. His outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Korean War/Korea, Summer-Fall 1952/Raids on the Sui-ho Dam
From Month/Year
June / 1952
To Month/Year
June / 1952
Description The attack on the Sui-ho Dam was the collective name for a series of mass air attacks during the Korean War on thirteen hydroelectric generating facilities by United Nations Command air forces on June 23–24 and June 26–27, 1952. Primarily targeting the hydroelectric complex associated with the Sui-ho Dam in North Korea, the attacks were intended to apply political pressure at the stalled truce negotiations at Panmunjeom.
Heavily defended by Soviet Air Forces and major anti-aircraft guns, the hydroelectric targets were subjected to attacks totaling 1,514 sorties. These were conducted jointly by fighters and fighter-bombers of the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and South African Air Force, the first time in 21 months that the separate air arms had worked together on a massive scale. The attack on the facilities was followed seventeen days later by another series of large-scale joint attacks on the capital city of Pyongyang.
The attacks succeeded in permanently destroying 90% of the facilities struck and completely knocked out power in North Korea for two weeks, as well as reducing available power to northeast China by 23%. North Korea, however, built new facilities but did not restore its previous capacity until after the armistice in 1953. Their effect on the truce talks was also nil, as highly publicized repercussions in both the UK and the United States Congress undermined their impact.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
June / 1952
To Month/Year
June / 1952
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories In May 1952, the warship left San Diego for her second tour with TF 77 in Korea. In addition to screening and planeguard duties, Agerholm conducted naval gunfire support as required. During one exchange of gunfire with a communist shore battery a single enemy shell struck the destroyer in the after part of the ship, starting a small fire in the crew's after berthing compartment but causing only minor damage to the weatherdeck. Agerholm continued on assigned duties until December, when she set a course for San Diego, arriving there on 21 December.
