(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 to Chief Warrant Officer Daniel F. Maslowski, United States Army, for outstandingly meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski consistently manifested exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results. His rapid assessment and solution of numerous problems inherent in a combat environment greatly enhanced the allied effectiveness against a determined and aggressive enemy. Despite many adversities, he invariably performed his duties in a resolute and efficient manner. Energetically applying his sound judgment and extensive knowledge, he has contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the United States mission in the Republic of Vietnam. His loyalty, diligence and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Chief Warrant OfficerDivision:
Prisoner of War (Cambodia)Action Date:
May 2, 1970 – February 12, 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 to Chief Warrant Officer Daniel F. Maslowski, United States Army, for meritorious achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia. 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. His loyalty, diligence and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
May 30, 1980 – October 1, 1989
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 Daniel F. Maslowski, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period 30 May 1980 to 1 October 1989. Serving in several consecutive positions of increasing responsibility, both command and staff, Lieutenant Colonel Maslowski is culminating his career as Deputy Chief, Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Affairs Division. As a former prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, Lieutenant Colonel Maslowski brought to the unaccounted for issue in South East Asia, a profound sense of understanding, sensitiveness, compassion and purpose. In this capacity he was unusually effective as a representative of the Army’s POW/MIA program. Lieutenant Colonel Maslowski’s career of selfless service and dedication reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Chief Warrant OfficerDivision:
Prisoner of War (Cambodia)Action Date:
April 1972 – September 1972
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 56 (December 31, 1974)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 Chief Warrant Officer Daniel F. Maslowski, United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life while serving as a Prisoner of War during April 1972 and September 1972. Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski was one of a contingent of American prisoners who was held captive by the Viet Cong in Cambodia that were being moved from one prisoner of war camp to another prisoner of war camp. During the long and arduous ten-day force march, he consistently aided other members of the group of prisoners of war. When one individual was having difficulty with his pack and was overly fatigued, he took it upon himself to carry the other individual’s pack while giving encouragement for him to continue the march. Later during the march, Specialist Fifth Class Crowson was having extreme difficulty in keeping up with the group. He was suffering from malaria and had not been able to properly eat for several days. Therefore, his physical condition was extremely poor and he finally fell to the ground. His captors started dragging, prodding, and kicking him. Later they placed him on a bicycle, facing backwards, with legs straddling the support bar. Both hands and feet were tied so tight that the circulation was cut off. To prevent a recurrence of this, Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski persuaded the interpreter into letting him help Specialist Fifth Class Crowson. Even with the help of Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski, he was unable to continue for more than a few hours, and although both tried desperately, Specialist Fifth Class Crowson finally collapsed. When the guards started to threaten, prod and kick Specialist Fifth Class Crowson again, Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski became enraged, removed his pack and with complete disregard for his own safety, slung his pack into the stomach of one guard and pushed another aside and at the same time condemned them for their action. Then without hesitation, he reached down and placed Specialist Fifth Class Crowson on his back in a piggy back fashion and carried him nearly one full mile over rough terrain. Upon reaching a place to rest, Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski placed Specialist Fifth Class Crowson on the ground and fell to the ground himself in complete exhaustion. When it was discovered that Specialist Fifth Class Crowson’s pulse could not be found, Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski immediately started giving him heart massage and other life saving measures for about an hour before Specialist Fifth Class Crowson responded. During August and September 1972, Captain Young was extremely ill and it was evident that he would die shortly if he did not receive medical treatment. Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski continually demanded that the enemy give Captain Young a special diet and medicine but to no avail. For this, Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski was intimidated, humiliated, and threatened, but he never gave up. About three days before Captain Young died, he was moved to a make shift shelter outside. On 17 September 1972 Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski and Chief Warrant Officer Hestand were released from their chains to serve food to the other prisoners. Shortly after they started the detail, Captain Young asked to be covered because he was cold and Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski covered him and gave him words of encouragement. Within a few minutes after this Captain Young lurched suddenly and his body became rigid and then he relaxed, gasping for air. Immediately they rushed over to Captain Young, and finding no heart beat, Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski immediately started mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while Chief Warrant Officer Hestand started a heart massage. The medic and doctor were summoned by the guard and shortly after the doctor arrived, Captain Young died. Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski and Chief Warrant Officer Hestand continued to administer life saving steps for approximately an hour before they gave up. Then Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski and Chief Warrant Officer Hestand were returned to their bunker. As Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski started to enter his bunker, he turned and condemned the doctor and interpreter for letting Captain Young die. The next day, he was called before the Viet Cong camp commander and political officer and was told if he did not change his thinking and attitude he would not be released. Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski told them they might be able to force him to say anything but they would never be able to change his thoughts. All of these actions were taken amidst numerous threats of bodily harm by enemy guards. By his completely unselfish acts in the face of personal body harm, Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski reflected great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the American Prisoners of War.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 Chief Warrant Officer Daniel F. Maslowski, United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 2 May 1970 while flying a re-supply mission in the vicinity of Tay Ninh Province, III Corps Tactical Zone, Republic of South Vietnam. Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski distinguished himself while flying as co-pilot of an aircraft involved in a volunteer re-supply mission of a fire support base in Cambodia. The fire support base requested an emergency re-supply of tank parts and also badly needed classified documents. Upon learning this, the aircraft commander and Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski volunteered to fly the mission. Despite the dangerous weather conditions and the acute awareness of the difficulties involved in getting into the fire support base, Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski took the controls and attempted to get through the storm before darkness. Shortly after entering the storm, the aircraft started taking fire from a .512 caliber anti-aircraft gun. The aircraft commander immediately got on the controls in an attempt to take evasive action, but to no avail. The ship took many hits and the hydraulic line had been severed by bullets making the ship very difficult to control. The fire became so intense that the aircraft commander had to relinquish the controls to Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski, who had been attempting to get emergency calls out. Because the hydraulic fumes were endangering the lives of his passengers and crew, Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski immediately landed the burning aircraft safely in the first cleared area he could find. With complete disregard for his own safety, he remained in the burning aircraft until all men had safely exited. Shortly thereafter, a fire fight ensued. Armed only with a .38 caliber pistol, he attempted to give covering fire so that the other men could reach covered positions, but the enemy had already maneuvered to the rear of his position and Chief Warrant Officer Maslowski was captured. His heroism reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Chief Warrant OfficerDivision:
Prisoner of War (Cambodia)Action Date:
May 2, 1970 – February 12, 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 Chief Warrant Officer Daniel F. Maslowski, United States Army, for heroic achievement in action against an armed enemy of the United States while detained as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia during the period 2 May 1970 to 12 February 1973. 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 Southeast Asia demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, this American continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Chief Warrant OfficerDivision:
Prisoner of War (Cambodia)Action Date:
May 2, 1970 – February 12, 1973
Chief Warrant Officer Daniel F. Maslowski, United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from May 2, 1970 until his release on February 12, 1973.