| John A. Dramesi | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 12, 1933 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Air Force |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Colonel John Arthur Dramesi (born February 12, 1933) is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who was held as a prisoner of war at the Hanoi Hilton in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.[1] Dramesi is one of the very few captives who never broke under torture. He was held along with Senator John McCain and has criticized McCain's conduct as a prisoner and after release. McCain would later hail him as "one of the toughest guys I've ever met."[2] Dramesi has also criticized the conduct of a number of his fellow POWs.[3]
Dramesi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 22 February 1933 and grew up in Blackwood, a neighborhood in Gloucester Township, New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers University and its Air Force ROTC program in 1956, and was trained as a fighter pilot flying first F-100 Super Sabres and then F-105 Thunderchiefs. He was shot down over North Vietnam and captured on 1 April 1967.[4]
While a prisoner, Dramesi twice attempted to escape, without success. On the second occasion, his partner, Edwin Atterbury, was killed, and the entire prison population was subjected to "barbaric" reprisals.[1] Plans for a third escape attempt, to be assisted by Navy SEALs in Operation Thunderhead, were cancelled after the SEALs were injured, and one killed, when jumping from a helicopter.[5]
Dramesi was released in 1973. Following his release, he continued his career in the Air Force, serving as a planner for U.S. forces in Europe and as commander of the 509th Bomb Wing (SAC), Pease AFB NH. He retired in 1982 with the rank of colonel.[6]
Dramesi ran as a Republican for the Congressional seat held by James Florio in 1982, and switched parties in 1990 to run in the Democratic primary to fill Florio's then-vacant seat following his election as Governor of New Jersey.[6]