Veteran Tributes

Dieter Dengler

Rank, Service

Lieutenant O-3, U.S. Navy

Veteran of:

U.S. Air Force 1957-1961
U.S. Navy 1963-1978 (Includes Reserve Time)
Cold War 1957-1978
Vietnam War 1966 (POW Escapee)

Tribute:

Dieter Dengler was born in Wildberg, Germany, on May 22, 1938. He immigrated to the United States in 1956 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 7, 1957. Dengler was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1961 and was commissioned in the U.S. Navy on April 12, 1963. LT Dengler was shot down and taken as a Prisoner of War in Laos on February 1, 1966. He escaped from his captors on June 30, 1966, and was rescued by American forces on July 20, 1966. Dieter left active duty in 1968 and joined the Navy Reserve. He left the Navy Reserve in 1978 and worked as a civilian test pilot for many years. Dieter Dengler died on February 7, 2001, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His Navy Cross Citation reads:

The Navy Cross is presented to Dieter Dengler, Lieutenant (j.g.), U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism during an extremely daring escape from a Prisoner of War stockade on 30 June 1966. Playing a key role in planning, preparing for, and developing an escape and evasion operation involving several fellow prisoners and himself, Lieutenant (j.g.) Dengler, keenly aware of the hazardous nature of the escape attempt, boldly initiated the operation and contributed in large measure to its success. When an unplanned situation developed while the escape operation was being executed, he reacted with the highest degree of valor and gallantry. Through his courageous and inspiring fighting spirit, Lieutenant (j.g.) Dengler upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.