GySgt Arthur Deering (1943 - 2007)

Gunnery Sergeant John Deering was a Prisoner of War for 1858 days during the Vietnam War.

Biography

Gunnery Sergeant John Deering served in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam War
Service started: 1966
Unit(s): 2nd Marine Division/HQ Bn, 2nd Marines, American Forces Radio -TV Network
Service ended: 1973

Birth

John Arthur Deering was born on 6 February 1943 in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, United States to Helene Deering. ^[1]

Education

He attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville from 1963 to 1966. His major was radio-television management. ^[2]

Military Service

John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 29 March 1966 and spent 16 months at Camp Lejeune as part of the 2nd Marine Division/HQ Bn, 2nd Marine Division. He was sent to Vietnam on 18 December 1967 to work at the American Forces Radio-TV Network. Their headquarters were in Saigon. He was transferred to Hue, Vietnam to act as program director of the Television station. He was an Audio/Television Production Specialist.

Prisoner of War

He was a Prisoner of War from 5 February 1968 until his release during Operation Homecoming on 5 March 1973.

Military Honors

His Bronze Star Medal with Valor Citation:

For heroic achievement while interned as a Prisoner of War (POW) in Southeast Asia from February 1968 to November 1970. During this period, Gunnery Sergeant (then Sergeant) Deering displayed exceptional character and determination in his resistance to overcome the severe mental and physical cruelties imposed upon him by the enemy, who ignored international agreements concerning treatment of POW's. Severely beaten and deprived of the opportunity to sleep for days, he nevertheless refused to allow his captors to subjugate him or those fellow enlisted prisoners who otherwise might have found it more difficult to adhere to the Code of Conduct. By his professionalism, courage, and devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Deering reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.

1. Silver Star
2. Bronze Star with Valor Device
3. Purple Heart
4. Marine Corps Commendation Medal with V Device

The full ribbon set is available here.

Retirement

He received a Medical Retirement from the United States Marine Corps on 20 October 1973.

Marriage

He married three times.

1. Karen Rawley on 6 November 1965 in Anderson County, Tennessee.
2. Lynn Kay Darling on 17 July 1992 in Sumner County, Tennessee.
3. Shirley Ann Maynard on 6 May 1998 in Sumner County, Tennessee.

Death and Burial

John died on 8 October 2007. He was buried in the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee. Find A Grave: Memorial #33807737

Sources

• Veteran Tributes find [here]
• POW Network Bio with complete article [here]
• Find A Grave Index.
• U.S. Social Security Death Index.
• U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index.
• Tennessee Marriage Records for John Arthur Deering and Lynn Kay Darling.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File.
• Vietnam War, Casualties Returned Alive, 1962-1979. Captured as a Sergeant in South Vietnam. Ground Casualty.

Footnotes

1. ↑ Vet Trib
2. ↑ Vet Trib

Acknowledgements