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 Major John Edward Stavast (AFSN: FR-52944), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in an RF-4C Phantom II aircraft of the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 30 June 1967. On that date, Major Stavast braved extremely heavy and accurate hostile fire to obtain photographic coverage of a priority one target. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Stavast reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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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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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
11th Tactical Reconnaissance SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
September 17, 1967
Headquarters, Pacific Air Force, Special Order G-29 (January 30, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel John Edward Stavast (AFSN: FR-52944), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 17 September 1967. On that date, Colonel Stavast led a flight of two RF-4C aircraft on a reconnaissance mission into one of the most heavily defended areas ever to confront United States combat aircrews. In spite of a surface-to-air missile/anti-aircraft artillery attack that damaged his aircraft, Colonel Stavast continued to his assigned target, and with his wingman obtained one hundred per cent coverage of all assigned targets, as well as several bonus targets, prior to having to abandon his disabled aircraft while over hostile territory. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Stavast has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 17, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Colonel John Edward Stavast (AFSN: FR-52944), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 17, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1967
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 Colonel John Edward Stavast (AFSN: FR-52944), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during November 1967. 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:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 17 – 23, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by 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 Colonel John Edward Stavast (AFSN: FR-52944), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 17 September 1967 to 23 September 1967, 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. Colonel Stavast 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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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel John Edward Stavast (AFSN: FR-52944), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Stavast culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major John Edward Stavast (AFSN: FR-52944), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 12 July 1967. On that date, while piloting an unarmed, unescorted RF-4C, Major Stavast penetrated one of the most formidable air defenses ever to challenge United States combat aircrews. Facing hostile gunfire and imminent attack from hostile fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missiles, Major Stavast demonstrated exemplary courage and superior skill in successfully completing his mission with outstanding results. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Stavast reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1967 – January 1973
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 Colonel John Edward Stavast (AFSN: FR-52944), 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 September 1967 to January 1973. 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders G-1818 (1967)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 with Combat “V” to Major John Edward Stavast (AFSN: FR-52944), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 29 August 1967. On that date, Major Stavast piloted his aircraft to successfully photograph a high priority target in spite of the high threat from heavily concentrated hostile defenses. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Stavast reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel John Edward Stavast (AFSN: FR-52944), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during July 1969, 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. Colonel Stavast 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.