Thomas Sterling enlisted in the Army Air Forces in January 1944 and was trained as a radio technician and then on the airborne high altitude radar bombing system on the B-29 Superfortress. He joined a B-29 bomb group in Sioux City, Iowa, in August 1945, but World War II ended before he was shipped overseas. After the war he served in the Air Force Reserve through college and graduated from Southwest Texas State University in 1950. During the Vietnam War he was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on April 19, 1967, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Thomas
James
Sterling
POW (RVN)
December 24, 1925
–
January 19, 2013
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 Major Thomas James Sterling (AFSN: FR-45475/AO-2249395), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105F Electronic Warfare Officer near Thai Ngyen, North Vietnam, on 18 April 1967. On that date, Major Sterling, disregarding his own personal safety, calmly and effectively manipulated his electronic detection gear to assist in the successful suppression of the surface-to-air missile site activity in the target area of the fighter-bomber force. He also assisted in the destruction of one surface-to-air missile installation. In spite of heavy ground fire, surface-to-air missile threats and hostile aircraft, Major Sterling stayed in the area and aggressively engaged the hostile, threatening surface-to-air missile sites upon every encounter. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Sterling 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:
April 19, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Major Thomas James Sterling (AFSN: FR-45475/AO-2249395), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 19, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
April 19, 1967
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 Thomas James Sterling (AFSN: FR-45475/AO-2249395), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105F Electronics Warfare Officer of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 19 April 1967. On that date, with complete disregard for his personal safety, Major Sterling calmly and aggressively manipulated his electronic detection gear to assist in engaging surface-to-air missile sites threatening the fighter-bomber force in the target area, and directly contributed to the successful placement of ordnance on a surface-to-air missile installation. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Sterling has reflected 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:
April 19, 1967 – March 4, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Thomas James Sterling (AFSN: FR-45475/AO-2249395), 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. 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:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 19, 1967 – March 4, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Thomas James Sterling (AFSN: FR-45475/AO-2249395), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 19 April 1967 to 4 March 1973. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.