Navy Federal Credit Union

Porter Halyburton was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 17, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 17, 1965 – February 12, 1973

    Lieutenant Commander Porter Alexander Halyburton (NSN: 0-6950080/677514/1325), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 17, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 17, 1965 – February 12, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Lieutenant Commander Porter Alexander Halyburton (NSN: 0-6950080/677514/1325), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. 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.]

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 17, 1965 – February 12, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Porter Alexander Halyburton (NSN: 0-6950080/677514/1325), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 17 October 1965 to 12 February 1973. 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 Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 17, 1965 – February 12, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Lieutenant Commander Porter Alexander Halyburton (NSN: 0-6950080/677514/1325), United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. He never wavered 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 Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 17, 1965 – February 12, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Porter Alexander Halyburton (NSN: 0-6950080/677514/1325), 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 17 October 1965 to 12 February 1973. Under the most adverse 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. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he serves as both an educator and an entertainer to provide 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 dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement 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.]

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June 15, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Porter Alexander Halyburton (NSN: 0-6950080/677514/1325), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 15 June 1966. Lieutenant Commander Halyburton’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, Lieutenant Commander Halyburton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.