Navy Federal Credit Union

Edwin Shuman graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1954. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on March 17, 1968, and was held until his release on March 14, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 1970 – January 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Edwin Arthur Shuman, III (NSN: 0-584738/1310), United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1970 to January 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 1968

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Edwin Arthur Shuman, III (NSN: 0-584738/1310), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in March 1968. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 17, 1968 – March 14, 1973

    Commander Edwin Arthur Shuman, III (NSN: 0-584738/1310), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 17, 1968 until his release on March 14, 1973.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)

    Action Date:

    March 17, 1968

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Edwin Arthur Shuman, III (NSN: 0-584738/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight on 17 March 1968, as a pilot in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65), during a combat mission over North Vietnam. Commander Shuman planned and executed a daring night air strike against a heavily defended railroad classification yard, located deep in North Vietnam. Piloting his aircraft at perilously low altitude and high speed in adverse weather conditions, he successfully penetrated the intense and accurate enemy defenses to reach the target area. Despite the inherent dangers associated with this low-level, night attack, plus the threat posed by the enemy anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles, he undertook the mission with a selfless zeal indicating a true dedication to his profession. Commander Shuman’s courageous actions and exceptional airmanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)

    Action Date:

    March 13, 1968

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Edwin Arthur Shuman, III (NSN: 0-584738/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight on 13 March 1968, as a pilot in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65). As the second section leader in a four-plane A-6 division, Commander Shuman participated in a successful attack against an important bridge in the center of Haiphong, North Vietnam, during a daring daylight strike. Although forced to evade three surface-to-air missiles, he pressed in to the target at a reduced power setting to enable his wingman, whose aircraft had a larger bomb load, to maintain position. Commander Shuman successfully navigated his section to the optimum roll-in point and delivered his bombs exactly on target, causing severe damage to the bridge. His exceptional airmanship, courage, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)

    Action Date:

    March 3, 1968

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Edwin Arthur Shuman, III (NSN: 0-584738/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight on 3 March 1968, as a pilot in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65). Commander Shuman planned and conducted a night, low-level radar attack against a thermal power plant, located north of Haiphong, North Vietnam. Successfully penetrating the radar-controlled defenses, he climbed to his release altitude as he approached the target and maintained a smooth and level flight path which insured a successful full-system weapons release, resulting in numerous secondary explosions. Commander Shuman’s courage and devotion to duty in the face of fierce enemy resistance were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 1968 – March 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Edwin Arthur Shuman, III (NSN: 0-584738/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 1968 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Under constant harassment from their captors, and due to the frustrations of the prisoners during their long internment, many difficult situations arose, requiring perseverance, endurance and ingenuity. Using his extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and sound judgment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Shuman is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 1969

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Edwin Arthur Shuman, III (NSN: 0-584738/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in September 1969. Commander Shuman’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Commander Shuman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.