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Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
Frost
Waggoner
POW (RVN)
June 2, 1935

–

June 21, 2012

Robert Waggoner was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on September 12, 1966, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 12 – 25, 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Frost Waggoner (AFSN: AD-17433145), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 12 September 1966 to 25 September 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. Lieutenant Colonel Waggoner 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    September 4, 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 Captain Robert Frost Waggoner (AFSN: AD-17433145), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 4 September 1966. On that date, Captain Waggoner was a member of a flight of F-105’s assigned to seek out and destroy SA-2 missile sites which became a threat to friendly aircraft attacking targets within fifteen miles of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Barely escaping death from two exploding SA-2 missiles and while under extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, he attacked and destroyed a SA-2 surface-to-air missile site, along with its controlling radar. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Waggoner has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 1970 – February 1971

    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 Lieutenant Colonel Robert Frost Waggoner (AFSN: AD-17433145), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 1970 to February 1971. 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.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 12, 1966 – March 4, 1973

    Lieutenant Colonel Robert Frost Waggoner (AFSN: AD-17433145), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 12, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 1966 – September 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 Lieutenant Colonel Robert Frost Waggoner (AFSN: AD-17433145), 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 September 1966 to September 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.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June 1, 1968 – July 15, 1969

    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 Lieutenant Colonel Robert Frost Waggoner (AFSN: AD-17433145), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 June 1968 to 15 July 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    May 17, 1978 – July 31, 1981

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Robert Frost Waggoner (AFSN: AD-17433145), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander and Commander, Air Force Plant Representative Office, Hughes Aircraft Company, Air Force Contract Management Division, Air Force Systems Command, Los Angeles, California, from 17 May 1978 to 31 July 1981. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Waggoner resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the Air Force Plant Representative Office’s vital defense mission. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Wagoner culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    September 1, 1966

    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 Captain Robert Frost Waggoner (AFSN: AD-17433145), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 1 September 1966. On that date, Captain Waggoner was a member of a flight of F-105’s performing armed reconnaissance along a road and rail line, vital to the opposing forces’ transportation system. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire, two SA-2 surface-to-air missile launches, and the loss of his primary flight instruments and bombing sight, Captain Waggoner completely destroyed an important highway bridge. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Waggoner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 1966 – September 1972

    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 Lieutenant Colonel Robert Frost Waggoner (AFSN: AD-17433145), 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 September 1966 to September 1972. 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.