Richard Paul "Pop" Keirn
Colonel, U.S. Air Force
POW in Two Wars

Richard Paul Keirn was born on 29 July 1924 in Akron, OH.

World War II

On 10 November 1942, at the age of 18, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve. On 15 February 1943, he was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces and reported to San Antonio Cadet Center, San Antonio, TX, then went to Muskogee, OK. From there, he was sent to the Army Air Forces Pilot School (Basic) at Coffeyville, KS. Upon completion of the basic course, on 7 January 1944, he was awarded his Army Air Force pilot wings and promoted to Flight Officer. From there he went to Moore Field, TX, for advanced single-engine training and then trained to fly the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber at Dyersburg, TN.

In June 1944, FO Keirn was sent to the European Theater of Operations where he joined the 100th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force, in England, flying B-17s. On 11 September 1944, while on his 14th mission deep inside Germany, Keirn's B-17 took numerous severe hits and he and his crew were forced to bail out over Leipzig. After several weeks of hospitalization, he was sent to Stalag Luft 1, in Barth, Germany. After spending 237 days in captivity as a Prisoner of War, the camp was liberated by Russian soldiers and FO Keirn was repatriated on 5 May 1945.

Between Wars

Richard returned to the U.S. in June 1945 and married Hazel, his waiting Navy WAVE, a Telegrapher Second Class, on 20 July 1945. Keirn received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Forces on 17 May 1946 and spent time assigned to Minter Field, CA, and Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, maintaining his flying status. He left active duty service in January 1947. On 31 March 1947 he went into the Air Force Reserve and, on 3 June 1948, joined the Ohio Air National Guard.

In the 164th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the Ohio Air National Guard, he flew P-51 Mustangs and F-80 and F-84E jets, until his recall to active duty in 1956. Captain Keirn went back on active duty with the Air Force on 10 December 1956, and served as a fighter pilot at Langley AFB, VA, flying F-100D Super Sabre's with the 511th Tactical Fighter Squadron ('TFS') in 1956-57; F-86's with the 336th TFS at Kadena AFB, Okinawa, and then instructor pilot of F-100D's with the newly-activated 12 TFS, also at Kadena, and C-119's, L-20's, C-47's with the Air Base Wing at Kadena, 1957-60. He was the Divisions and Plans Officer flying T-33's with the 333rd TFS at Seymour-Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, NC, from 1960-62, and then on to the 47th TFS at MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL.

Vietnam War

At MacDill with the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, after being checked out in the F-4C Phantom, with survival school at Stead AFB in Reno, NV, and Langley AFB, he was declared "combat ready." In July 1965, Keirn was deployed to Ubon, Thailand, with the 47th TFS as Assistant Operations Officer.

On 24 July 1965, twelve days after arriving "in-country," the newly-promoted Major Keirn filled-in for another pilot who was on sick-call, for his 5th combat mission in Southeast Asia. As Command Pilot, he was flying northwest of Hanoi when his F-4C Phantom II aircraft took a hard vertical hit, then a violent explosion ripped through the aircraft and fire swept through the plane. His had just become the first on-record American aircraft downed by a Russian-made SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile). He parachuted down and landed on the side of a mountain during monsoon. Maj Keirn injured both ankles, sustained flash burns over his hands, shoulders and face, and carried a piece of shrapnel in his leg until he returned to the U.S. He was captured the next day and taken as a Prisoner of War by the North Vietnamese.

After spending 2,760 days in captivity, now-Col Keirn (he was promoted while in POW status) was released during Operation Homecoming on 12 February 1973.

After his hospitalization was over, Col Keirn attended and graduated from the Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL, in 1974. He was then assigned to the 507th Tactical Air Control Group at Shaw AFB, SC, from May 1974 to April 1975. His final assignment was as Director of Operational Services, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, with Headquarters 9th Air Force at Shaw AFB, from April 1975 until his retirement from the Air Force on 30 June 1976. Col Keirn gave his country his honorable service for 33 years, 7 months and 21 days.

Colonel Richard Paul Keirn is one of only two Vietnam Prisoners of War to have been held as a POW twice. He served a total of 2,997 days in captivity; that was truly doing 'hard time.'

In Retirement

Richard and Hazel settled in their "dream home" in Indian Harbour Beach, FL. Speaking publicly whenever called upon, he made several speeches at MacDill AFB and Patrick AFB, for MIA/POW Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.

In 1995, Richard and Hazel celebrated their 50th anniversary and his book "Old Glory Is the Most Beautiful of All," was published. The book was his personal story of being a prisoner of war during two wars; one of only two men to do so.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Bronze Star Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Army Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Prisoner of War Medal with Bronze Star
Combat Readiness Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Silver and 4 Bronze Battle Stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
French Croix de Guerre with Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Command Pilot Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during August 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Lieutenant Colonel Keirn resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Legion of Merit Citation (1st of 2 Awards)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 1965 to February 1973. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Legion of Merit Citation (2nd of 2 Awards)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Director and as Director of Operational Services, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters NINTH Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, from 23 April 1975 to 30 June 1976. During this period, the exceptional professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Colonel Keirn contributed significantly to the combat effectiveness of tactical forces assigned to NINTH Air Force. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Keirn culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country, and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain] Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 21 July 1965 over Mugia Pass, North Vietnam. On that date, while piloting an F-4 aircraft, Colonel Keirn made repeated attacks on a heavily fortified enemy truck part. In spite of low clouds, marginal visibility, and accurate enemy ground fire. Colonel Keirn skillfully delivered all bombs directly on target. Many secondary explosions plus bomb damage assessment information revealed the severity of the blow to the enemy's transportation system. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Keirn reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Prisoner of War Medal Citation (World War II)

Flight Officer Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Army Air Forces, was held as a Prisoner of War in Germany from 11 September 1944 until his release on 5 May 1945.

Prisoner of War Medal Citation (Vietnam War)

Lieutenant Colonel Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 24 July 1965 until his release on 12 February 1973.

Death and Burial

Colonel Richard Paul "Pop" Keirn passed away on 25 May 2000, at Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne, FL. He was buried at Florida Memorial Gardens on Memorial Day, 29 May 2000, with an Honor Guard and full military honors including a missing-man flyby of F-15's over the restricted air space of Patrick AFB and Cape Canaveral, FL.

"With his passing, our country has lost a great American patriot and hero. There is a certain grace to his going at this holiday." said his son, Steve, during the eulogy he presented. "Pop would have loved seeing all the flags flying." said daughter, Sherye.

Colonel Keirn was survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Hazel; son, Steve; daughter, Sherye; and 4 grandchildren.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=111271524

[The data that makes up this biography includes information that was provided by the family of Colonel Richard Paul "Pop" Keirn; the photos are also courtesy of the family.]