Kevin McManus graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1964. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on June 14, 1967, and was held until his release on February 18, 1973. He retired in 1984 as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Kevin
Joseph
McManus
POW (RVN)
September 19, 1942
–
July 31, 2008
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 14, 1967 – February 18, 1973
Captain Kevin Joseph McManus (AFSN: FR-78805), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 14, 1967 until his release on February 18, 1973.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
390th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
February 23, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Kevin Joseph McManus (AFSN: FR-78805), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Pilot of the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 23 February 1967. On that date, while engaged in an extremely hazardous strike mission, Lieutenant McManus successfully attacked moving targets along a heavily defended route. In spite of intense anti-aircraft fire directed at his flight, he completed his mission in a highly successful manner. On return to base, he experienced radio failure and made a radio out landing on the wing of the lead aircraft when the home base was below landing minimums. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant McManus reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1988 (November 11, 1967)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 Captain Kevin Joseph McManus (AFSN: FR-78805), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during June 1967, 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. Captain McManus 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.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1967 – June 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Kevin Joseph McManus (AFSN: FR-78805), 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 June 1967 to June 1970. 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.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1967 – June 1969
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 Captain Kevin Joseph McManus (AFSN: FR-78805), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period November 1967 to June 1969. 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.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
June 1983 – June 1984
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Joseph McManus (AFSN: FR-78805), United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as Assistant for Mission Critical Computer Resources, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Advanced Technology, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, from June 1983 through June 1984. He has guided two major legislative bills through the Congress and White House which recognized the criticality of computer hardware and software to the conduct of modern warfare. To carry out the legislation, Lieutenant Colonel McManus was instrumental in the establishment of a mission critical computer office in the Department of Defense. As the first Special Assistant for Mission Critical Computer Resources, he greatly expanded the role and responsibility for Mission Critical Computer Resources coordination. This placed additional responsibilities on the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and that work was delegated to Lieutenant Colonel McManus. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel McManus culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
390th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
June 14, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1988 (November 11, 1967)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 First Lieutenant Kevin Joseph McManus (AFSN: FR-78805), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-4C aircraft of the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action over North Vietnam, on 14 June 1967. On that date, Lieutenant McManus flew in a flight of four F-4C tactical fighters against a railroad yard in a highly defended area. The attack inflicted heavy damage on the target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant McManus has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.