Leonard Eastman was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on June 21, 1966, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Leonard
Corbett
Eastman
POW (RVN)
June 25, 1933
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1966 – November 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Leonard Corbett Eastman (NSN: 0-9051136), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 1966 to July 1969 and from January to November 1971. 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.]
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 21, 1966 – February 12, 1973
Commander Leonard Corbett Eastman (NSN: 0-9051136), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 21, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Leonard Corbett Eastman (NSN: 0-9051136), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during June 1966. Commander Eastman’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, Commander Eastman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War in North VietnamAction Date:
June 1966 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Leonard Corbett Eastman (NSN: 0-9051136), 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 1966 to February 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 United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Eastman is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)