The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Wayne Ogden Smith (AFSN: FR-80670), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4D Pilot of the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 18 January 1968. On that date, Lieutenant Smith delivered his ordnance on an important strategic target in the face of intense anti-aircraft artillery fire, tracking surface-to-air missiles, and attacking hostile aircraft. With exceptional boldness and courage, Lieutenant Smith then engaged the hostile aircraft in close air-to-air combat. As a direct result of Lieutenant Smith’s efforts, his target was heavily damaged, and one hostile aircraft was shot down. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Smith has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1971 – November 1971
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Wayne Ogden Smith (AFSN: FR-80670), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 19071 to November 1971. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 18 – 28, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Wayne Ogden Smith (AFSN: FR-80670), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 18 January 1968 to 28 January 1968, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Captain Smith resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 18, 1968 – March 14, 1973
Captain Wayne Ogden Smith (AFSN: FR-80670), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 18, 1968 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Wayne Ogden Smith (AFSN: FR-80670), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot of the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 15 December 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Smith was flying a combat mission assigned to protect a main force, against unfriendly interceptors. He successfully drove them off in every instance while also maneuvering within a heavy ground fire and surface-to-air missile environment. As a result of Lieutenant Smith’s outstanding performance the fighter-bombers were allowed to deliver their ordnance and egress without interruption. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1968 – January 1971
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Wayne Ogden Smith (AFSN: FR-80670), United States Air Force, 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 January 1968 – January 1971. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1970 – December 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Wayne Ogden Smith (AFSN: FR-80670), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period July 1970 to December 1972. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
435th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
October 24, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Wayne Ogden Smith (AFSN: FR-80670), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot of the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 24 October 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Smith attacked a target heavily defended with surface-to-air missiles and numerous accurately firing anti-aircraft artillery partially obscured by a low hanging cloud deck. He delivered his ordnance with extreme accuracy and instantly rejoined his flight so as to offer greater protection to the egressing force. Damage assessment of the target area revealed that the bombing accuracy was outstanding. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.