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Jeremiah Andrew Denton Jr. (born July 15 1924 in Mobile, Alabama) is a retired U.S. Navy admiral and U.S. senator of the Republican party. He spent almost eight years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and later wrote a book about his experiences.
Military career
Having attended McGill Institute, Spring Hill College and graduated from the United States Naval Academy (where he was a classmate of Jimmy Carter) in 1946; his 34-year naval career included service on a variety of ships, in many types of aircraft, including airships (blimps). His principal field of endeavor was naval operations. He also served as a test pilot, flight instructor, and squadron commander. In 1957, he was credited with revolutionizing naval strategy and tactics for nuclear war as architect of the "Haystack Concept", while serving on the staff of Commander, South Fleet, as Fleet Air Defense Officer. Denton graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College and the Naval War College, where his thesis on international affairs received top honors by earning the prestigious President 's Award. In 1964, he received the degree of Master of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University. While serving as a pilot in the Vietnam War, Denton was shot down and captured on July 18,1965. He was held as a prisoner of war for almost eight years, four of which were spent in solitary confinement. Denton is best known for the 1966 North Vietnamese television interview he gave, as a prisoner, in Hanoi. During the interview he blinked his eyes in morse code to spell out the word "torture" to communicate that he was being tortured by his captors. He was also questioned about his support for the U.S war in Vietnam, to which he replied: "I don't know what is happening now in Vietnam, because the only news sources I have are Vietnamese. But whatever the position of my government is, I believe in it, I support it, and I will support it as long as I live." For this act of resistance, he would be awarded the Navy Cross. Finally in 1973, he was released from prison and on stepping off the plane, as a free man back in his home country, he said: "We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances. We are profoundly grateful to our Commander-in-Chief and to our nation for this day. God bless America."
He retired from the Navy with the rank of rear admiral, and would later go on to write the book When Hell was in Session detailing his detention as a POW in Vietnam. The book was later turned into a movie of the same name starring Hal Holbrook.
Political career
In 1980, Denton ran as a Republican for a U.S. Senate seat from his home state of Alabama and achieved a victory over Democrat James E. Folsom Jr. (who had defeated the incumbent in the primary) aided by Reagan's coattails. In doing so, he became the first and only retired admiral to be elected to the Senate. In the Senate, he compiled a solidly conservative, pro-life and pro-national security voting record. In 1986, he narrowly lost his bid for re-election to Richard C. Shelby, who was then a Democrat.
In 2004, Denton became a vocal critic of Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.).
Navy Cross Citation
"The Navy Cross is presented to Jeremiah A. Denton, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 1966 to May 1966. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, Rear Admiral Denton (then Commander) experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. During this prolonged period of physical and mental agony, he heroically resisted cruelties and continued to promulgate resistance policy and detailed instructions. Forced to attend a press conference with a Japanese correspondent, he blinked out a distress message in Morse Code at the television camera and was understood by United States Naval Intelligence. When this courageous act was reported to the North Vietnamese, he was again subjected to severe brutalities. Displaying extraordinary skill, fearless dedication to duty, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces."
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1924 births | Living people | Naval aviators | People from Alabama | Prisoners of war | United States Navy admirals | United States Senators from Alabama | Vietnam War veterans | United States Naval Academy graduates | Navy Cross recipients
"Jeremiah Denton"