Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (USN Retired) pictured with Tricia Nixon Cox, the eldest daughter of President and Mrs. Nixon, his wife, Tammy Alvarez, and former U.S. Senator Tom Carper (left to right) at 50th anniversary of the White House homecoming celebration dinner in honor of the American POWs from the Vietnam War on May 24, 2023.
On December 23, 2024, the Everett Alvarez, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 was signed into law by President Joe Biden. This law awards Retired Navy Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr., with the Congressional Gold Medal, the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States, alongside the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Born in Salinas, California in 1937 as the grandson of Mexican immigrants, Everret Alvaerz, Jr. joined the US Navy in 1960. In 1964, Alvarez was the first American aviator shot down over Vietnam and became the longest-held prisoner of war in North Vietnam, remaining in captivity for eight and a half years. As stated in the Congressional Gold Medal Act, “Despite torture and interrogation, CDR Alvarez remained loyal to the United States and assisted other American prisoners of war.” After his release on February 12, 1973, Alvarez continued to serve in the US Navy. He holds numerous military decorations, including the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts.
In addition to his distinguished military service, Alvarez is a lawyer, author, entrepreneur, executive and Director Emeritus on the Board of Directors for the Richard Nixon Foundation. In May 2023, Alvarez participated in the 50th Anniversary of the Homecoming of the American POWs from the Vietnam War reunion held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.
An honor steeped in history, the first Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to General George Washington by the Second Continental Congress in 1776. The U.S. Mint produces a unique design for each Congressional Medal. Since the American Revolution, 158 recipients have been awarded with the medal.
U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), sponsor of the bill, issued the following statement:
I proudly join our community in California’s 19th Congressional District and our nation in celebrating President Joe Biden’s signing of the Everett Alvarez, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act into law. With this legislation, our country formally recognizes Commander Alvarez’s unparalleled courage, resilience, and dedication to our democracy during his time as one of our nation’s longest-serving prisoners of war.
Commander Alvarez’s unwavering spirit not only inspired his fellow POWs to “Return with Honor,” but also continues to serve as a beacon of hope and determination for all Americans. This Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress, ensures that his legacy and the sacrifices of all POWs and their families are forever remembered.
I extend my deepest gratitude to President Biden for signing this important legislation, Senator Alex Padilla for championing the bill in the Senate, and the co-leads Senator Cynthia Lummis and Representative Pat Fallon, as well as to my colleagues in Congress for their bipartisan support. I look forward to the medal’s commissioning and the upcoming ceremony in our nation’s Capitol, where we will collectively honor the life and legacy of an extraordinary Central Coast hero, Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr.
View the full Everett Alvarez, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1097/text
Hear Commander Alvarez share his experience as a POW in the podcast CAPTURED: Shot Down in Vietnam: https://capturedpodcast.com/