Loren Torkelson was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on April 29, 1967 and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.

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Loren Torkelson was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on April 29, 1967 and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.





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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 Captain Loren Harvey Torkelson (AFSN: FV-3155656), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam from September 1968 to November 1969. 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 the United States Air Force.
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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 Captain Loren Harvey Torkelson (AFSN: FV-3155656), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in May 1967 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. Captain Torkelson 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.

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 Captain Loren Harvey Torkelson (AFSN: FV-3155656), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4C Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 29 April 1967. On that date, while under intense and accurate fire from unfriendly forces, Lieutenant Torkelson demonstrated cool courage, undaunted determination, and superior skill in pressing home devastating air attacks against hostile positions. Persevering in the face of danger, he relentlessly and effectively aided in neutralizing the hostile forces. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Torkelson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Captain Loren Harvey Torkelson (AFSN: FV-3155656), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 29, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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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 Captain Loren Harvey Torkelson (AFSN: FV-3155656), 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 April 1967 to April 1970. 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.