Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Kenneth
Wallingford
POW (RVN)
1948-04-19

–

Born:

Munich

, 

Germany

Home:

Houston

, 

Texas

Kenneth Wallingford was interned as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia after he was captured in South Vietnam on April 7, 1972 and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    April 7, 1972 – February 12, 1973

    Sergeant Kenneth Wallingford, United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from April 7, 1972 until his release on February 12, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    April 7, 1972 – February 12, 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Sergeant Kenneth Wallingford, United States Army, for meritorious service from 7 April 1972 to 12 February 1973 while a Prisoner of War in South Vietnam and Cambodia. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the North Vietnamese subjected Sergeant Wallingford to a routine of mental and physical cruelties, including withholding of adequate medical treatment for wounds and illnesses. The routine was calculated and designed for the purpose of obtaining military information and propaganda material detrimental to the United States. Under these extremely adverse conditions, Sergeant Wallingford successfully resisted indoctrination, threats, and promises of medical attention by the North Vietnamese intended to coerce him to support causes injurious to the United States. He never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to his country. Throughout his internment, Sergeant Wallingford maintained a high rate of discipline and morale. He continually confronted the North Vietnamese by refusing to cooperate or to conform with camp regulations, causing the enemy to maintain a posture of maximum security. Defying his captors he shared everything he had with his fellow prisoners and gave them encouragement to continue when all seemed hopeless. With consistent loyalty and perseverance he conducted himself in a manner that aided the senior prisoner of war immeasurably in controlling the camp and maintaining prisoner morale. Sergeant Wallingford’s conduct and manner of performance was clearly exceptional, reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Army. Great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Action Date:

    April 5 – 7, 1972
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 30 (September 18, 1973)

    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 Sergeant Kenneth Wallingford, United States Army, for gallantry in action during the period 5 April 1972 to 7 April 1972, while serving as Light Weapons Advisor to the 9th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On 5 April 1972, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched a major offensive with the objective of capturing Binh Long Province in Military Region 3. The 5th Viet Cong Division was targeted against Loc Ninh, the capital of Loc Ninh District in Northern Binh Long Province. The 5th Viet Cong Division launched a massive coordinated ground attack against Loc Ninh beginning early in the morning of 5 April 1972. The attack was supported by artillery and tanks. Sergeant Wallingford skillfully directed tactical airstrikes and helicopter gunships in support of the 9th Infantry Regiment and other South Vietnamese forces in the area. During the battle Sergeant Wallingford fought magnificently. Time and time again he directed the fighters, bombers, gunships, and artillery fire on top of his own position to drive off the attacking enemy. The combination of Sergeant Wallingford’s courage and professional skill coupled with all available firepower kept the numerically superior enemy at bay for more than two days. Despite the valiant efforts of the defenders, the city of Loc Ninh was completely overrun by the enemy on 7 April 1972, but Sergeant Wallingford through his courageous actions extracted a horrendous price from the enemy for their tactical accomplishment. Sergeant Wallingford’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.