The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Frederick Charles Baldock, Jr. (NSN: 0-666620/1315), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. On October 1966, Lieutenant Commander Baldock’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 to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 4, 1969
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 Lieutenant Commander Frederick Charles Baldock, Jr. (NSN: 0-666620/1315), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 4 June 1969. 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 Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1967 – April 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Frederick Charles Baldock, Jr. (NSN: 0-666620/1315), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in August 1967 and from December 1967 to April 1968. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War in North VietnamAction Date:
March 1966 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Frederick Charles Baldock, Jr. (NSN: 0-666620/1315), United States Naval Reserve, 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 March 1966 to February 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 United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Baldock is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 94 (VA-94)Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65)Action Date:
December 3, 1965 – March 17, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Frederick Charles Baldock, Jr. (NSN: 0-666620/1315), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot serving with Attack Squadron NINETY-FOUR, embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia from 3 December 1965 to 17 March 1966. During this period, Lieutenant Commander Baldock, flying an A-4C “Skyhawk” aircraft, participated in many combat missions against important strategic and tactical enemy targets, and contributed greatly to the high proportion of damage inflicted on these targets. His superb airmanship, outstanding courage, and expert professionalism while encountering the full spectrum of hazardous flying conditions and intense enemy opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 17, 1966 – February 12, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Frederick Charles Baldock, Jr. (NSN: 0-666620/1315), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 17, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.