The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Ronald E. Byrne, Jr. (AFSN: 27821A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action over North Vietnam on 29 august 1965. On that date, Major Byrne volunteered to fly number four position in a flight of F-105 aircraft tasked with employing and evaluating a new type of weapons delivery. He knew full well that flying number four would enable him to observe the delivery but would also subject him to the highest level of anti-aircraft fire. Refusing to be intimidated even after his aircraft received a disabling hit from withering ground fire, Major Byrne displayed heroism far above that expected of a pilot in his situation as he guided his flaming aircraft over the target calling out the bomb hits and results to his flight members. Only after he had fully satisfied mission requirements did Major Byrne turn his aircraft toward the surround hills and eject. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Byrne has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by 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 Ronald E. Byrne, Jr. (AFSN: 27821A), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 8 July 1966 to 4 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 Byrne 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.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Ronald E. Byrne, Jr. (AFSN: 27821A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 15 August 1967 to 28 April 1968, as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. During this period, Colonel Byrne displayed exceptional heroism and maximum resistance in the face of brutal harassment and torture by the Vietnamese for the purpose of getting Colonel Byrne to confess to the activities of the senior ranking American, his prisoner organization and policies; thereby, hoping eventually to destroy prisoner resistance and pave the way to easy political exploitation. Through his heroic resistance, Colonel Byrne reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.