Delta native Mike McGrath, seen at right in photo, stands next to his wife, Marlene. Others present at the presentation of McGrath’s Silver Star Medal in Colorado Springs on Oct. 9 are, from left, the McGraths’ son, Rick; grandson Brian; daughter-in-law Laurie; Congressman Doug Lamborn; and granddaughter Meghan.

Retired Navy Captain Mike McGrath, member of a Delta County pioneer-era family and a 1957 graduate of Delta High School, was presented with his military honor 40 years after the heroism which earned him the distinction.

Now a resident of Monument, he received the honor from Congressman Doug Lamborn in Colorado Springs last Friday.

The Silver Star may be awarded to any member of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is awarded for valor in action against an enemy of the United States. The Silver Star award is a recognition of extraordinary heroism.

According to a staff aide for Lamborn, award of the Silver Star is authorized by the U.S. President for distinguished gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States, or while serving with friendly forces against an opposing enemy force. "The Silver Star is often awarded to those prisoners who were tortured by their captors as they resisted enemy exploitation," the aide said.

In making the announcement of McGrath's honor, Lamborn's office explained that, "The U.S. recognized nearly all of the qualifying men with the Silver Star Medal shortly after their return to the United States from Vietnam in 1973.

"McGrath said he did not get the award at that time because he simply didn't share with his commanders the details of his captivity."

McGrath was quoted as saying, "I just didn't talk much about it. None of us did. But about two years ago I shared with my former commanding officer in (the POW camp) some of what I experienced and he immediately put my name in for the Silver Star Medal.

"I am humbled and honored by this recognition, but this isn't really about me. I didn't go through anything special from the other POWs. We all went through brutal times. We all faced adversity."

McGrath added, "I have received a lot of recognition and honor. This is more for my children and grandchildren. It is a great honor for them and our entire family. I am deeply humbled."

Congressman Lamborn's office provided comments from others, including former POWs, on McGrath's experience and recognition after so many years. A fellow POW stated, "I, like most other pilots who endured torture at the hands of the enemy, received the Silver Star Medal. Lt. McGrath is the only one I know who was not recognized for his gallantry. He was considerably more determined, courageous and valiant than I," said Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Jay Hess.

Another fellow POW described the North Vietnamese torture that was meted out to American POWs. "Some POWs died in torture and the Vietnamese did not want witnesses. However, (McGrath's) descriptions to me of the two weeks of torture to his broken arm and body were consistent with my own torture and, the well-documented torture of hundreds of U.S. pilots in North Vietnam," said former POW Gerald Gerndt.

"Lt. McGrath went without food and had only enough water to survive. He almost gagged to death in one torture session when a rag was jammed into his mouth and throat and choked off all the air. He barely survived this ordeal.

"It is my opinion that Lt. McGrath imperiled his own life by holding to name, rank and serial number while gallantly striving to uphold the Military Code of Conduct to its fullest extent and meaning," Gerndt said.

"Mike McGrath is an American hero, and it is an honor to play a small part in recognizing him for his service to our country. I thank him for his sacrifice," Congressman Lamborn said.

The following information about McGrath's service history was supplied by Lamborn's office:

McGrath attended the University of Colorado for one year prior to entering the United States Naval Academy. Upon graduating from Annapolis in 1962, he entered Naval aviation flight training at NAS Pensacola. He was designated a Naval Aviator in November 1963.

In 1964, McGrath's first tour was as a flight instructor with Training Squadron Two. He began his first sea duty tour in early 1965 when he joined the Blue Diamonds of VA-146. Flying the A-4C Skyhawk, he flew 179 combat missions from the decks of USS Ranger and USS Constellation before being downed by enemy fire on June 30, 1967, over North Vietnam.

Destined to wait out the Vietnam War as a POW for nearly six years, McGrath participated in communication and organization efforts to resist enemy exploitation. His experiences have been chronicled and illustrated in his book, "Prisoner of War-Six Years in Hanoi." The book is in its 10th printing and is available from the Naval Institute.

McGrath was repatriated on March 4, 1973. After rejoining his family in San Diego, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. He graduated in 1975 receiving a Masters Degree in financial management. He reported to VA-195 to fly the A7E before joining the VA-97 Warhawks as executive officer in 1977. He took command in January 1979 to lead the squadron in highly successful WESTPAC cruises including operations on "Gonzo Station" during the Iranian hostage crisis.

Following his sea tour, McGrath reported to the U.S. Naval Academy as Chairman of the Leadership and Law Department. His final Navy assignment was a three-year tour as Naval attaché in Quito, Ecuador.

McGrath retired from the Navy in January 1987 with the rank of captain.

McGrath's military awards include: The Silver Star Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit Medals with Combat "V," two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, three Bronze Stars with Combat "V," 17 Strike/Flight Air Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals with Combat "V," two Purple Hearts and the Prisoner of War Medal.

McGrath is married to the former Marlene Hanuschak of Youngstown, Ohio. They live in Monument. McGrath recently retired from United Airlines.

McGrath's Silver Star Medal citation reads as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. His captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected then-Lieutenant McGrath to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Throughout his resistance to those brutalities, Lieutenant Commander McGrath contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his strong determination, extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander McGrath reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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