The US Military All*Stars are proud to dedicate this very special page
to Honor the life of Wendell Burke Rivers.

Wendell Burke Rivers, Captain US NAVY

Wendall was born 7/6/28 and passed away 5/9/2009. Wendall graduated from Annapolis in 1952. Wendall entered flight training in 1953. He was an A4-E Skyhawk pilot during the Vietnam War. Wendall was shot down on 9/10/1965. Wendall spent 7 1/2 years in captivity. Capt Rivers was released on 2/12/1973.

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Navy
Rank: Captain
Division: Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Wendell Burke Rivers (NSN: 0-555144), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 14 to 15 July 1966. Captain Rivers’ captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Captain Rivers reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.