The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August to September 1966 and in September 1967. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1966 to January 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Jeremiah Andrew Denton, Jr. (NSN: 0-485087), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 4 September 1972. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment and intimidation in their attempt to publicly present the POW’s at a local museum. Annoyed at his refusal, the North Vietnamese ordered guards to torment him to complete physical exhaustion. After the guards overpowered him, he was handcuffed, bodily lifted and placed aboard a vehicle, and transported to the Museum. Displaying disinterest and disdain toward the North Vietnamese at the Museum, he gallantly continued his resistance which proved so embarrassing to the North Vietnamese it was never again attempted for propaganda purposes. His unwavering loyalty to prisoner organization policy, which promoted this willingness to resist, emphasized his devotion and loyalty to the United States and served as an inspiration to his fellow prisoners. By his extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and determination, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]