| David J. Carey |
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| Rank, Service |
| Captain O-6, U.S. Navy |
| Veteran of: |
U.S. Naval Academy 1960-1964
U.S. Navy 1964-1986
Cold War 1964-1986
Vietnam War 1966-1973 (POW)
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| Tribute: |
Dave Carey was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1942. He was commissioned through the U.S. Naval Academy on June 4, 1964, and became a Naval Aviator in 1966 after completing Naval Flight Training. Carey was shot down in his A-4 Skyhawk on a combat mission over North Vietnam on August 31, 1967. He was captured and spent the next 2,022 days as a Prisoner of War of the North Vietnamese. After his release during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973, Captain Carey went back on flying status and served as Operations Officer, Maintenance Officer, and Safety Officer of Fighter Squadron 126. From 1979 to 1981, Carey was commanding officer of Fleet Composite Squadron 7. He served as commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 126 from 1981 to 1984. Captain Carey's final assignment was as commanding officer of the Naval Amphibious School, Director of the Navy's Leadership and Management Effectiveness Program, and Lead Facilitator in the Leadership and Management Seminar for Prospective Commanding and Executive Officers at Coronado, California from 1984 until his retirement from the Navy on January 1, 1986. Since his retirement from the Navy, Dave has been a professional speaker, consultant, and trainer. He is the author of the book "The Ways We Choose, Lessons for Life from a POW's Experience".
His Legion of Merit with Valor Citation reads:
For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1967 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he served as an educator to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
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