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Navy Federal Credit Union
Francis
Quinn
POW (RVN)
November 13, 1928

–

On an early tour as an Advisor in South Vietnam, Francis Quinn was captured on April 8, 1962 and held as a Prisoner of War. He was rescued and recovered on May 1, 1962, by South Vietnamese soldiers on patrol near DaNang. He retired from active duty on December 1, 1968.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    April 8, 1962 – May 1, 1962

    Master Sergeant Francis Quinn (ASN: RA-12113074), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in South Vietnam from April 8, 1962 until his recovery by South Vietnamese (ARVN) troops on May 1, 1962.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    November 11, 1966

    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 Master Sergeant Francis Quinn (ASN: RA-12113074), United States Army, for heroism, not involving participation on aerial flight, in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Master Sergeant Quinn distinguished himself by valorous actions on 11 November 1966 while advising a Vietnamese unit that was under attack by a large Viet Cong force. Initially Sergeant Quinn directed his men so that the insurgents were forced to abandon their first mass assault. Throughout this defense, he was exposed to intense hostile fire while moving from one position to another to encourage his men. With the senior advisor wounded, Sergeant Quinn assumed command of the entire company until its linkup with the main force. He led a small squad in an assault upon a machine gun position which routed the Viet Cong and allowed the main force to move into their perimeter. He also accompanied a small squad across a dry lake bed, while receiving hostile fire, to recover a load of ammunition dropped outside the landing zone. Sergeant Quinn’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    May 31, 1966
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 6912 (December 18, 1966)

    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 Master Sergeant Francis Quinn (ASN: RA-12113074), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Detachment A-219, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Master Sergeant Quinn distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as a Special Forces commander of a company on combat patrol. After finding a large bivouacked Viet Cong force, he immediately led his company in a charge which routed the Viet Cong and forced them to leave many dead behind. While his company was searching for claymore mines, within an established perimeter, the reorganized insurgents attacked from three sides. Master Sergeant Quinn repeatedly exposed himself to intense fire to rally his company for an orderly withdrawal. When in danger of being pinned down by concealed hostile weapons, he again led a charge which destroyed the emplacements and captured a hill from which the company could defend itself. His quick thinking and aggressive leadership prevented his force from being killed. Master Sergeant Quinn’s gallantry in action against a hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.