Beale celebrates National POW/MIA Recognition Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ramon A. Adelan
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 9th Reconnaissance Wing celebrated National POW/MIA Recognition Day with a remembrance breakfast at the Recce Point Club at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 19, 2014.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year to remember prisoners of war and those who are missing in action, as well as their families.

World War II veteran and Korean War POW Obie Wickersham spoke during the remembrance breakfast about his time in battle and experiences being a POW. Wickersham, a highly-decorated soldier, served with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division during World War II and the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea.

"The time we were at the POW camp we were mistreated, starved at times, and we were humiliated, but we survived," Wickersham said. "Being a POW doesn't make me a hero. If these medals, which I'm wearing here today, make me a hero, so be it. I survived because I had too much at home to give up on. I had my family, I had my friends, I had my freedom, and I had my country."

Wickersham was captive for 28 months after Chinese Forces overran his platoon May 17, 1951. He returned home Sept. 20, 1953, and was later discharged at Fort Ord, Calif.

During Wickersham's time in service he earned a Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, eight combat battle stars, three Presidential Unit Citations, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, French Croix De Guerre, Belgium Croix De Guerre, Dutch Queen Willems Militaire Orde, Combat Infantry Badge, POW Medal, Expert Rifle Medal, parachute jump wings, and others.

In addition to Wickersham speaking, Col. Quinn A. Gummel, 9th Reconnaissance Wing vice commander, presented Wickersham with a flag and letter from the current commander of the 2nd Infantry Division.

Since World War II more than 83,000 American service members remain missing or unaccounted.
For more information about supporting local POW/MIA organizations, visit the National League of POW/MIA Families website.

Beale celebrates National POW/MIA Recognition Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ramon A. Adelan
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 9th Reconnaissance Wing celebrated National POW/MIA Recognition Day with a remembrance breakfast at the Recce Point Club at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 19, 2014.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year to remember prisoners of war and those who are missing in action, as well as their families.

World War II veteran and Korean War POW Obie Wickersham spoke during the remembrance breakfast about his time in battle and experiences being a POW. Wickersham, a highly-decorated soldier, served with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division during World War II and the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea.

"The time we were at the POW camp we were mistreated, starved at times, and we were humiliated, but we survived," Wickersham said. "Being a POW doesn't make me a hero. If these medals, which I'm wearing here today, make me a hero, so be it. I survived because I had too much at home to give up on. I had my family, I had my friends, I had my freedom, and I had my country."

Wickersham was captive for 28 months after Chinese Forces overran his platoon May 17, 1951. He returned home Sept. 20, 1953, and was later discharged at Fort Ord, Calif.

During Wickersham's time in service he earned a Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, eight combat battle stars, three Presidential Unit Citations, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, French Croix De Guerre, Belgium Croix De Guerre, Dutch Queen Willems Militaire Orde, Combat Infantry Badge, POW Medal, Expert Rifle Medal, parachute jump wings, and others.

In addition to Wickersham speaking, Col. Quinn A. Gummel, 9th Reconnaissance Wing vice commander, presented Wickersham with a flag and letter from the current commander of the 2nd Infantry Division.

Since World War II more than 83,000 American service members remain missing or unaccounted.
For more information about supporting local POW/MIA organizations, visit the National League of POW/MIA Families website.