Navy Federal Credit Union

After enlisting in the Kansas Army National Guard, Leroy Stutz 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 December 2, 1966, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973. He retired in 1994 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Leroy William Stutz (AFSN: FR-78935), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Stutz culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 1967

    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 Leroy William Stutz (AFSN: FR-78935), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during March 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.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 1, 1969 – January 15, 1973

    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 Captain Leroy William Stutz (AFSN: FR-78935), United States Air Force, for outstanding achievement in a position of leadership while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 December 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.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 2, 1966 – March 4, 1973

    Captain Leroy William Stutz (AFSN: FR-78935), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 2, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    November 23, 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 Leroy William Stutz (AFSN: FR-78935), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 23 November 1966. On that date, Lieutenant Stutz, despite extremely hazardous conditions, reconnoitered the Dap Cau Railroad and Highway Bridge near Hanoi. This night, low-level mission imposed great demands upon the resources and capabilities of the pilot. Exposing himself for fifty-five minutes over hostile territory in a highly sophisticated and lethal anti-aircraft defense structure, Lieutenant Stutz displayed outstanding determination in successfully obtaining the required intelligence on their assigned target. This intelligence was instrumental in restricting the flow of vital materials transported on the railroad leading from Hanoi to Communist China. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Stutz has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 7, 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Leroy William Stutz (AFSN: FR-78935), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 7 December 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. Captain Stutz 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 1966 – December 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 Captain Leroy William Stutz (AFSN: FR-78935), 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 December 1966 to December 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

    Division:

    Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    September 11, 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 First Lieutenant Leroy William Stutz (AFSN: FR-78935), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Reconnaissance Pilot near Yen Bay, North Vietnam on 11 September 1966. On that date, Lieutenant Stutz completed a particularly hazardous bomb damage assessment mission in one of the most heavily defended areas of North Vietnam. Subjected to intense, sustained and accurate ground fire and facing imminent surface-to-air missile attack, Lieutenant Stutz demonstrated exemplary courage and outstanding aerial skill in completing his mission, despite adverse weather conditions and battle damage to his aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Stutz reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.