Donald Waltman was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on September 19, 1966, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.

–
Cemetery:
Donald Waltman was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on September 19, 1966, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.









Service:
Rank:
Division:
Action Date:

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 Donald Glenn Waltman (AFSN: FR-53895/3032089), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1967 to December 1967. 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.
Service:
Rank:
Division:
Action Date:

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 Donald Glenn Waltman (AFSN: FR-53895/3032089), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during 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 Waltman 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.
Service:
Rank:
Division:
Action Date:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Donald Glenn Waltman (AFSN: FR-53895/3032089), United States Air Force, for outstanding achievement in a position of leadership while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 January 1969 to 15 January 1973. This officer performed duties dealing in highly classified material while under constant surveillance of the enemy. He generated new ideas and improvised new techniques which greatly enhanced covert operations. His outstanding performance and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Service:
Rank:
Division:
Action Date:

Lieutenant Colonel Donald Glenn Waltman (AFSN: FR-53895/3032089), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 19, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.
Service:
Rank:
Division:
Action Date:

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 Donald Glenn Waltman (AFSN: FR-53895/3032089), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 1968 to August 1968. 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.
Service:
Rank:
Action Date:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Donald Glenn Waltman (AFSN: FR-53895/3032089), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, European Officer Exchange Program, London, England, from 12 July 1981 to 30 April 1985. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Waltman significantly enhanced the combat capability of the United States Air Force in conjunction with the Air Forces of our European allies, thus making important contributions to the defense posture of our nation and the free world. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Waltman culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Service:
Rank:
Division:
Action Date:

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 Donald Glenn Waltman (AFSN: FR-53895/3032089), 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 January 1968 to September 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.
Service:
Rank:
Batallion:
Division:
Action Date:

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 Donald Glenn Waltman (AFSN: FR-53895/3032089), 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 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 19 September 1966. On that date, Captain Waltman was the pilot of an F-105 that struck and destroyed a heavily defended target deep in hostile territory. Despite the intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Captain Waltman pressed the attack and delivered his ordnance squarely on target rendering it unusable. He demonstrated heroism of the highest order and distinctive professional airmanship as he directed his aircraft against his target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Waltman has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Service:
Rank:
Division:
Action Date:

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 Donald Glenn Waltman (AFSN: FR-53895/3032089), 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.