Air Force career
While serving as a United States Army Air Forces flight officer during World War II, Keirn's B-17 was shot down on his first mission and he was held as a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany from 11 September 1944 to 5 May 1945.
Following World War II, Keirn served in the Ohio Air National Guard 164th Fighter Interceptor Squadron before returning to the active Air Force in December 1956.
Captain Keirn volunteered for duty in Vietnam and in July 1965 deployed with the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. On 24 July 1965, his F-4C Phantom #63-7599 was shot down by a North Vietnamese SAM-2 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Hanoi, in the first loss of a US aircraft to a Vietnamese SAM.[2] Keirn ejected successfully from his stricken aircraft and was captured. His bombardier/navigator Captain Roscoe H. Fobair failed to eject and was killed; his remains were recovered in 2001.[3] During his captivity, Keirn was one of 52 Americans forced to participate in the Hanoi March, a propaganda event held in July 1966 in which U.S. POWs were marched through the streets of Hanoi and brutally beaten by North Vietnamese civilians. He was released on 12 February 1973 as a part of Operation Homecoming.
Upon return to the United States, Keirn returned to flying status with the Air Force, flying both the O-2 Skymaster, and RF-4C Phantom II, and served 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.[1]
Military awards and decorations
Colonel Keirn's major military awards and decorations include:[citation needed]
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Silver Star citation
- Lieutenant Colonel Richard P. Keirn
- U.S. Air Force
- Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)
- Date of Action: August 15 – November 15, 1967
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, 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.