John “Doug” Burns

By zthanson, 26 January, 2023
First Name
John “Doug”
Middle Name
Doug
Last Name
Burns
Birthdate
Hometown
Narberth, Pennsylvania
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Navy suit and cap.
PreCapture Description

Lieutenant Commander Burns was assigned to VA22, which was an A4 Charlie squadron. He was working as Navy liaison to the Seventh air force headquarters in Saigon. Burns was shot down during a night reconnaissance mission searching for enemy trucks on 4 October 1966 by antiaircraft fire, according to a 3 June 2013 story on gazette.com. During the ejection from his plane, Burns broke three vertebrae. He spent the first weeks of his captivity strapped to a concrete pallet and then months at a time in solitary confinement.

Post Release Image
Man on a black screen in a suit and tie.
Post Release Description

He was released on March 4, 1973. Burns was held captive for six and a half years. During that time his family and wife did not know if he was dead or alive. He has since remarried. Among the awards Burns earned were the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Valor, Bronze Star with Combat “V,” two Purple Hearts and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star
  • Legion of Merit
  • Bronze Star (3)
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release