The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Wilson Denver Key (NSN: 0-669207/1310), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 17 November 1967 as a Pilot in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FOUR (VA-34), embarked in U.S.S. INTREPID (CVS-11). While serving in a surface-to-air missile suppression element as part of a multi-air-wing strike against a boat yard and transshipment point two miles southeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam, Lieutenant Commander Key skillfully evaded hostile anti-aircraft fire and missile attacks to launch an attack at point-blank range against a surface-to-air missile site as two missiles lifted off their launchers. His bombs engulfed the site and caused the lifting missiles to go off course. During his recovery, two missiles from another site were tracking his section. Despite hard evasive maneuvering, Lieutenant Commander Key’s aircraft received a direct hit, causing it to burst into flames. As the fire continued to rage, he ejected into enemy territory and was captured. By his accurate weapons deliver, courage, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Lieutenant Commander Key contributed significantly to the success of the mission, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1968 – July 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Wilson Denver Key (NSN: 0-669207/1310), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 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.]
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Wilson Denver Key (NSN: 0-669207/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 1967 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of 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 and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Key is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1968 – January 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Wilson Denver Key (NSN: 0-669207/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1968 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 Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Key is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 22, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Wilson Denver Key (NSN: 0-669207/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 22 November 1967. Lieutenant Commander Key’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 Key reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 17, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Wilson Denver Key (NSN: 0-669207/1310), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 17, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
-
Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Wilson Denver Key (NSN: 0-669207/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of the Research and Technology Directorate at the Naval Air Systems Command from July 1988 through July 1990. Captain Key’s effectiveness in improving Naval and Marine Corps aviation weapons systems through aggressive management of research and technology programs was impressive. He promoted standardization and cost savings throughout the defense aviation community. Captain Key was instrumental in defining the structure and membership of the Command’s Corporate Strategy V Quality Management Board, whose mission is to improve the technology base and its subsequent transition to the fleet. He revitalized the Assistant Program Manager for Research and Technology process as one of his many efforts to further technology base transition to the fleet, and played a major role in the incorporation of leading edge technology into current and next generation aircraft and components. Additionally, as a result of Captain Key’s personal dedication and leadership, participation in the Small Business Innovation Research initiative by program managers improved significantly with the number of topics submitted by them increasing from 32 in Fiscal Year 1988 to 119 in Fiscal Year 1990, a gain of 300 percent. His leadership and mature judgment made an important contribution to future fleet readiness and to the mission of the Naval Air System Command. Captain Key’s exceptional achievements, superb management, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.