Edward Estes was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on January 3, 1968, and was held until his release on March 14, 1973. He retired in 1986 as a U.S. Navy Captain.
Sponsored by:
Edward
Dale
Estes
POW (RVN)
May 16, 1934
–
Awards Received
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Legion of Merit
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Edward Dale Estes (NSN: 0-4801481), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in February 1968. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness 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.]
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
Summer 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Edward Dale Estes (NSN: 0-4801481), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in the Summer of 1969. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness 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.]
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1968 – January 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Edward Dale Estes (NSN: 0-4801481), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1968 to July 1969 and from December 1970 to January 1973. 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.]
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1968 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Edward Dale Estes (NSN: 0-4801481), United States Navy, 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 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While maintaining daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions resulting in the maintenance of good order and discipline among the prisoners. Further, as an educator he provided diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and sound judgment reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
-
Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Edward Dale Estes (NSN: 0-4801481), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel Readiness on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet from December 1979 to August 1984. Captain Estes’ unparalleled competence and superb performance during this period were instrumental in developing and implementing many new and improved programs throughout the Atlantic Fleet which ensured that the ships, squadrons, and stations were manned to achieve the highest possible level of readiness. Displaying outstanding planning, managerial ability, and sound judgment, he reacted with dispatch and effectiveness to the personal needs of subordinate units. As a result of his superb manpower management techniques, Captain Estes was able to spread mandated and strength reductions so that they would have the least impact on fleet operations. Through his singular efforts, the U.S. Atlantic Fleet maintained a high state of personal readiness. By his outstanding leadership, professional competence, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Estes reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 3, 1968 – March 14, 1973
Commander Edward Dale Estes (NSN: 0-4801481), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 3, 1968 until his release on March 14, 1973.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1971 – January 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Edward Dale Estes (NSN: 0-4801481), 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 July 1971 to January 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 3 – 5, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Edward Dale Estes (NSN: 0-4801481), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 3 to 5 January 1968. During this period, Commander Estes’ 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 Estes reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.