Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
David
Burroughs
POW (RVN)
September 29, 1932

–

March 22, 1999

Cemetery:

National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

William Burroughs graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1955. On July 31, 1966, two weeks after a mission that earned him the Air Force Cross Major Burroughs was shot down and imprisoned at the “Zoo” outside Hanoi. He was held from July 1966 until his release and return on March 4, 1973. Colonel Burroughs retired from the Air Force on April 30, 1976.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 31, 1966 – March 4, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 William David Burroughs (AFSN: FR-27184), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 31 July 1966 to 4 March 1973. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    July 4, 1974 – April 30, 1976

    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 Legion of Merit to Colonel William David Burroughs (AFSN: FR-27184), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander for Resource Management and Assistant Director of Operations, 82d Flying Training Wing, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, from 4 July 1974 to 30 April 1976. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence and devotion to duty of Colonel Burroughs were instrumental factors in the improvement of resource management and the resolution of complex organizational problems of major importance to the Air Force. His dynamic leadership and tireless efforts in reorganizing major functional elements and in improving resource management and conservation throughout all Wing organizations resulted in significant savings to the Air Force and greatly assisted the flying training mission. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Burroughs culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country, and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 31, 1966 – March 4, 1973

    Major William David Burroughs (AFSN: FR-27184), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 31, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 1966 – March 1971

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel William David Burroughs (AFSN: FR-27184), 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 July 1966 to March 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.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

    Division:

    Kadena Air Base, Okinawa

    Action Date:

    July 11, 1966

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Major William David Burroughs (AFSN: FR-27184), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, in action in Southeast Asia on 11 July 1966. On that date, Major Burroughs flew his unarmed and unescorted RF-101 Voodoo against a strategic target of vital importance situated along a critical northeast railroad only thirty-five nautical miles northeast of Hanoi. This target was of singular value, and the immediate area defenses were as concentrated, menacing, and vicious as any in the annals of air warfare. Refusing to be deterred by a direct hit from a deadly missile which caused major structural damage to his aircraft, Major Burroughs courageously pursued his mission and obtained important photo intelligence of this strategic target. By his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of an armed hostile force, Major Burroughs reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

    Regiment:

    18th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Kadena Air Base, Okinawa

    Action Date:

    July 8, 1966
    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-777 (September 27, 1966)

    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 Major William David Burroughs (AFSN: FR-27184), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, SEVENTH Air Force, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, in action in North Vietnam on 8 July 1966. On that date, Major Burroughs flew his RF-101 aircraft on a reconnaissance mission to obtain bomb damage assessment photos of three vital targets, a sortie threatened by the known presence of missiles, heavy artillery and automatic weapons. With his mission nearly completed, Major Burroughs narrowly skillfully evaded a direct missile attack and returned with vital new intelligence of great importance. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Burroughs has reflected 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:

    July 31, 1966 – March 4, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 William David Burroughs (AFSN: FR-27184), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam. 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 31, 1966 – August 8, 1966
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    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 Colonel William David Burroughs (AFSN: FR-27184), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force from 31 July 1966 to 8 August 1966 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 Burroughs 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:

    July 31, 1966 – March 4, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 William David Burroughs (AFSN: FR-27184), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. 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.