Navy Federal Credit Union

Ronald Bliss graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1964. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on September 4, 1966, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973. He subsequently retired as a U.S. Air Force Captain.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 4, 1966 – 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Ronald Glenn Bliss, United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    September 4, 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 the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Ronald Glenn Bliss, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 pilot with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia, on 4 September 1966. On that date, Lieutenant Bliss piloted an F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber through intense anti-aircraft fire to strike a strategic petroleum storage facility within North Vietnam. The dauntless courage and intrepidity exhibited deep within hostile territory were exceptionally conspicuous. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Bliss has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Ronald Glenn Bliss, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-105 pilot with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia in 1966. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 4, 1966 – 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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Ronald Glenn Bliss, United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam. 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.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 4, 1966 – 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 First Lieutenant Ronald Glenn Bliss, United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 4, 1966 – March 4, 1973

    U.S. Air Force Academy Southeast Asia Plaza of Heroes

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 First Lieutenant Ronald Glenn Bliss, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 4 September 1966 to 4 March 1973. 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 Bliss resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Bliss has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 4, 1966 – March 4, 1973

    First Lieutenant Ronald Glenn Bliss, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 4, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.