Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Major Lauren Robert Lengyel (AFSN: AO-3081654), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during August 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.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    August 9, 1967 – March 14, 1973

    Major Lauren Robert Lengyel (AFSN: AO-3081654), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 9, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 1, 1970 – January 15, 1973

    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 Major Lauren Robert Lengyel (AFSN: AO-3081654), United States Air Force, for outstanding achievement in a position of leadership while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 March 1970 to 15 January 1973. This officer performed duties dealing in highly classified material while under constant surveillance of the enemy. He generated new ideas and improvised new techniques which greatly enhanced covert operations. His outstanding performance and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    August 9, 1967 – March 14, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Captain Lauren Robert Lengyel (AFSN: AO-3081654), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 9 August 1967 to 14 March 1973. 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 Abbott 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.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June 1972 – September 1972

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Lauren Robert Lengyel (AFSN: AO-3081654), 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 from June 1972 to September 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    August 1967 – November 1970

    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 Major Lauren Robert Lengyel (AFSN: AO-3081654), 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 August 1967 to November 1970. 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    July 25, 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 Captain Lauren Robert Lengyel (AFSN: AO-3081654), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander on 25 July 1967. On that date, Captain Lengyel was tasked to fly a night photo-flash reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. Although encountering intense ground fire, Captain Lengyel was successful in completing his mission and gaining vital intelligence information. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Lengyel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.