The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade, ] Thomas Renwick Hall, Jr. (NSN: 0-682719), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 10 June 1967 as a Pilot serving with Fighter Squadron TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN (VF-211), embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), during a combat mission over hostile territory in North Vietnam. Flying precise formation as the wingman to the second section leader in a flight of six F-8 Target Combat Air Patrol aircraft for a flight of A-4 strike aircraft attacking the Hanoi Thermal Power Plant, Lieutenant Commander Hall, despite an intense antiaircraft and surface-to-air missile attack, constantly maintained protective position on the strike group. While in a positioning turn to keep the A-4 aircraft in sight during their weapons release, his aircraft received a hit, causing it to lose fuel and catch fire. Only when he lost control of the aircraft, did Lieutenant Commander Hall eject. His courage in the face of enemy fire, coupled with his expert airmanship and unswerving devotion to duty, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Thomas Renwick Hall, Jr. (NSN: 0-682719), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1967 to March 1973. Under the most adverse conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he serves as both an educator and an entertainer to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement 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.]
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 16, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Thomas Renwick Hall, Jr. (NSN: 0-682719), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 16 June 1967. Lieutenant Commander Hall’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Lieutenant Commander Hall reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 10, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Thomas Renwick Hall, Jr. (NSN: 0-682719), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 10, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1968 – July 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Thomas Renwick Hall, Jr. (NSN: 0-682719), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1968 to July 1969. 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.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Thomas Renwick Hall, Jr. (NSN: 0-682719), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in August 1968. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, 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.]