Fred Cherry, Former Air Force Pilot and Vietnam POW, Dies at Age 87

Four former prisoners of war tell newsmen that they all recall being subjected to severe torture and beatings during their confinement, at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, March 29, 1973. From left: Lt. Col. Fred V. Cherry, Col. Robinson Risner, Col. Norman C. Gaddis, and Maj. John A. Dramesi. AP Photo/Henry Griffin

A former U.S. Air Force pilot who spent seven years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam recently passed away at age 87.

Fighting against racial prejudice and segregation, the black hero joined the Air Force in 1951, and showed so much skill that he was soon flying combat missions over North Korea.

In 1965, Fred Cherry was flying an F-105 fighter over North Vietnam when anti-aircraft fire hit his plane.

My standard for making decisions is based on doing what is right, or what some might call, doing the right thing.

— Fred Cherry, former POW, Air Force Colonel