The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 1967 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. Further, as an educator he provided diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment, Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and sound judgment reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Clower is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Fighter Squadron 151 (VF-151)Division:
U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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] Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY ONE (VF-151) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43), in action over North Vietnam in 1967. By his aggressive leadership, expert tactical employment, and courageous actions, Commander Clower upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Fighter Squadron 151 (VF-151)Division:
U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)Action Date:
November 16, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 16 November 1967 as a Pilot in Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY ONE (VF-151) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). As a Division Leader of four F.B. aircraft, Commander Clower led a flak-suppression mission as part of a major air-wing strike against the strategic and heavily defended Hoi Duong railway bridge in North Vietnam. When the Section Leader of the strike group was downed by a surface-to-air missile attack, Commander Clower detached one of the aircraft from his Division to take charge of the rescue effort, and then pressed on with his remaining aircraft to carry out his assigned mission. Although in an area of extremely heavy flak, possible enemy air opposition, and active surface-to-air missile sites, he maneuvered his section to obtain the optimum tactical position and precise timing necessary to support the main strike force. In the target area he expertly evaded all flak bursts, quickly acquiring his assigned target, and commenced a devastating attack. Commander Clower assumed a fighter cover role and led the section in a daring fighter sweep through the area adjacent to the target, maneuvering to provide maximum radar and visual air search, and remaining until all strike aircraft had safely retired. He then proceeded to the area of the downed aircraft to make repeated sweeps looking for the downed crewmen. By his aggressive leadership, expert tactical employment, and courageous actions, Commander Clower upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1969 – June 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, for meritorious achievement as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1969 to June 1970. With complete disregard for his own safety and personal welfare in a period of severe enemy harassment, he voluntarily took complete care of a seriously wounded fellow prisoner who was not receiving any treatment from the North Vietnamese. By his courageous actions and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, 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.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 1967 – May 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 1967 to May 1972. 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in January 1968. Commander Clower’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 Clower reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in December 1970. 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:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1969 – January 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 1969 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.]
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 24, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 24 November 1967. Commander Clower’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 Clower reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 19, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Commander Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 19, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1968 – July 1970
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 Claude Douglas Clower (NSN: 0-7924019), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1968 to July 1970. 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.]