Col. Fred V. Cherry.


 Col. Cherry graduated college in 1951 and enlisted in the AF Cadet Training Program. Soon after, he was a lieutenant flying F-84’s (100 combat missions) out of Taegu AFB in South Korea.


Fast forward to Việt Nam.


October 22, 1965, his F-105 was shot down over North Vietnam. He ejected and was immediately captured, suffering a broken wrist, ankle, and shoulder.


For the duration of his stay as a guest of the North Vietnamese he was the ranking black officer.


Refusing to make statements about racism in the US per his captor’s demands, he was put in solitary for nearly 2 years and tortured for 93 days in a row.


Out of solitary, a southern white pilot was put in his cell with the intent of the two becoming antagonistic. Instead they became close friends, and maintained that friendship after the war.


He was released Feb 12, 1973 after 7 years in captivity.


When he returned home his wife and his savings and property were gone.


He finished out his 30 year career with the DIA and retired in 1981. He died in 2016 and was buried with full honors at Arlington... Continue reading 

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