Jerry Singleton graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1962. He served in Vietnam as a helicopter rescue pilot, earning his first Silver Star in 1965. He was shot down over North Vietnam on November 6, 1965, and evaded the enemy for five days before being captured and taken as a Prisoner of War. He was held in captivity for 2,566 days, and was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. For his gallantry as a Prisoner of War he was awarded a second Silver Star. After hospitalization at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, he served as Staff Judge Advocate for the 7th Combat Support Group at Carswell Air Force Base. From 1973 to 1974 he attended Dallas Theological Seminary, and upon completion of his studies was commissioned a U.S. Air Force Chaplain, serving at Sheppard Air Force base until 1980, when he was appointed Senior Protestant Chaplain for the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, until his retirement on October 31, 1985.
Sponsored by:
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1, 1966
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 Major Jerry Allen Singleton (AFSN: FR-64076), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 1 June 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. Major Singleton 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:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1965 – November 1969
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 Major Jerry Allen Singleton (AFSN: FR-64076), 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 November 1965 to November 1969. 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
38th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
November 1, 1965
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 Jerry Allen Singleton (AFSN: FR-64076), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Co-Pilot on a CH-3 Rescue Helicopter of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 1 November 1965. On that date, Lieutenant Singleton was flying an unarmed helicopter over dense jungle terrain in an effort to rescue a downed pilot. Upon locating the pilot, Lieutenant Singleton assisted the pilot in hovering to the ground to assist the injured pilot to a better location. While hovering the helicopter developed mechanical difficulties and was forced to withdraw. Once more returning to the area, the helicopter was positioned atop the trees and was able to make a successful hoist rescue. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Singleton reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 6, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Major Jerry Allen Singleton (AFSN: FR-64076), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 6, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1967 – August 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Jerry Allen Singleton (AFSN: FR-64076), 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 May 1967 to August 1970. 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Jerry Allen Singleton (AFSN: FR-64076), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during February 1969. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 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 Major Jerry Allen Singleton (AFSN: FR-64076), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during August 1966. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
38th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
November 6, 1965
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 Jerry Allen Singleton (AFSN: FR-64076), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an HH-3C Rescue Helicopter of Detachment 5, 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 6 November 1965. On that date, Lieutenant Singleton displayed an outstanding degree of courage and devotion to duty as he voluntarily flew an unarmed and extremely vulnerable rescue aircraft into a hostile area known to contain numerous concentrations of heavy anti-aircraft weapons in a valiant attempt to rescue a downed U.S. Air Force pilot. As he entered the recovery area, Lieutenant Singleton’s aircraft encountered heavy ground fire and burst into flames, causing him and his crew members to bail out over hostile territory. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Singleton has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.