Code of honor

by John A. Dramesi

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. 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." Dramesi has also criticized the conduct of a number of his fellow POWs. He was shot down over North Vietnam and captured on 1 April 1967. 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. 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. 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, commander of the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying the F-111F Aardvark, and as commander of the 509th Bomb Wing (Strategic Air Command), Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire. While the commander of the 390th TFS, his autobiography, "Code of Honor" which was initially published in 1975 and again in 1990. He retired in 1982 with the rank of colonel.

271 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[SoulSurvivor · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, Goodreads should learn that this book has 271 pages . Second, if you find a copy, consider yourself among the very few . Third, Dranesi had some fame ( or infamy ) because of an interview he had with Rolling Stone' regarding John /McCain's supposed 'violations of the military code of honor .
This article was basically a 'hit piece' by a journalist who was an Obama enthusiast looking for dirt on his opposition.

I voted for Obama in 2008 but not for the slurs against McCain conjured up in this book. I think that Dranesi was taken in for political purposes. Dranesi did uphold higher standards that nearly all of the prisoners of North Viet Nam , but McCain was among the heroes that defended American security in the face of horrific torture, speaking of which would be the reading of this book. Dramesi was a fierce warrior from the same County in which I now live, but not much of a writer . Sorry, John, but I know you would expect truth .

[DMurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight ruthless.

Also i learned about the internal politics about other POWS and the arguments and discussion they had.

Some funny parts as well.

Bad ass fucking book.

[Julie Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Difficult to imagine being in that circumstance. There is an interesting thought about leadership in this book and the author's perspective is both admirable and painful (not much grace for people that were not as strong as himself).

[Jim Noyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book, about a real American hero. Dramatic read, very realistic. You wonder how POWs did it, this guy is amazing.