USS Pueblo (AGER-2)

A newspaper clipping is loading: headline is Ex-crewmen discuss award snub. Pueblo's skiper "shortchanged" Former crew spy ship Pueblo Navy shortchanged ex-skipper prisoner North Korea. former crewmen of USS Pueblo decorated for actions during 11 months in captivity. CDR Llloyd M. Bucher captain, skipper of USS Pueblo seized off North Korea Jan 23 1968. Not recommended for a medal. Last year Navy decorated 18 Pueblo crewmen for heroism that ended in surrender of the ship and for attempts to destroy secret material. I think he should have received the award for what he did for the crew on the Pueblo. His help withh morale, defending the interests of the crew, keeping us together. CDR Bucher was truly outstanding said Fred Schumacher former operations officer of the Pueblo and now emplyed by a St. Louis magazine. I think the problme was that there was no oneto recommend him for one. Operational commander received letter of reprimand and not in the mood to recommend anyone in that case. he was the one who would do it. 78 men will receive 103 awards including a Navy Cross, nine Bronze Stars, 89 Commendation Medals and four Navy Achievement Medals. Robert Chicca of San Diego, former Marine Sergeant now in line to receive the Bronze Start and Navy Commendation Medal said Captain Bucher deserves the Navy Cross for resisting the North Koreans and holding the crew together in prison. Former marine Sgt Robert Hammond agreed with the assessment. Peter Langenberg former CT2 on Pueblo received Bronze Start and said CDR Bucher is being shortchanged. Captain Bucher took physical punishment and displayed a lot of leadership in captivity. After the crew was freed, a Navy Court of Inquiry recommended five charges of court-martial against Bucher and actions against two other officers. Secretary of the Navy John Chafee announced that they had suffered enought and took no action against the officers. This is the gist of text image on this page.

USS Pueblo (AGER-2)

Official U.S. Navy Photo

Books, poetry and music have been written about USS Pueblo. Yet it's story is not a romantic one. On a cold January day, this uncelebrated ship sailed out of Sasebo Japan into the Tsushima Straight and then north into the Sea of Japan. Most of the Pueblo crew wore the CT rating badge. On January 23rd while in international waters the ship was attacked and boarded by North Korean Forces. Imprisoned for nearly a year, the ship's crew of ordinary sailors became extraordinary men. Through courage and leadership they survived a long, inhumane and unjust imprisonment. After their repatriation, and after time passed, over 100 awards including the Navy Cross, and Bronze Stars were awarded to many of the crew. The USS Pueblo remains Active/In Commission and rests in a North Korea harbor.

For an accurate, historical accounting of the Pueblo Incident from the PUEBLO crew's perspective please visit www.usspueblo.org. (opens in a new window)

For other information about this ship visit: Navy Vessel Register for USS Pueblo (AGER-2) (Opens in a new window.)