The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commander Render Crayton (NSN: 0-529039/1315), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as the Senior Ranking Officer in Son Tay Prisoner of War Camp in Hanoi, North Vietnam, from February 1966 to February 1973. By his diligent efforts, perseverance, devotion and loyalty to the united States, and under the most adverse of conditions, Commander Crayton resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. He provided superb leadership and guidance to his fellow prisoners of war during extended periods of severe pressures from his captors in their attempt to gain information for propaganda purposes. Formulating firm and explicit guidelines, he set a pattern of resistance for all to follow. His extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and sound judgment 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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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Render Crayton (NSN: 0-529039/1315), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island from April 1978 to January 1980. Through his meticulous attention to detail and unique leadership ability, Captain Crayton contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the Naval War College mission. As Chief of Staff, he was singularly effective in coordinating and directing the wide-ranging activities of the College, both in support of the academic program and other functions. Possessing an in-depth knowledge of personnel, organization, and fiscal matters, Captain Crayton markedly improved the utilization of austere fiscal and personnel resources. In addition, his skill and determination in directing the energies of all Naval War College personnel to the attainment of institutional goals and objectives enhanced the reputation of the College as the citadel of higher military education. Captain Crayton’s outstanding professional leadership, perceptive judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and 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:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 7, 1966 – February 12, 1973
Commander Render Crayton (NSN: 0-529039/1315), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 7, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1967 – September 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 Render Crayton (NSN: 0-529039/1315), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in September 1967 and from September 1971 to September 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May – June 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 Render Crayton (NSN: 0-529039/1315), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May to June 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:
May 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Render Crayton (NSN: 0-529039/1315), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in May 1967. 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:
May 1968 – February 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 Commander Render Crayton (NSN: 0-529039/1315), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1968 to February 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 56 (VF-56)Division:
U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CVA-14)Action Date:
February 7, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Render Crayton (NSN: 0-529039/1315), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 7 February 1966, while serving as a flight leader with Attack Squadron FIFTY-SIX (VF-56), embarked in the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CVA-14), during aerial combat operations in North Vietnam. After Commander Crayton had sought out and led a devastating attack against a major line of communication, his aircraft sustained crippling damage and he was forced to eject over enemy-held territory. Although injured, and confronted with the danger of imminent capture, he courageously directed the efforts of his two wingmen in discouraging the approach of enemy ground troops. Knowing the critically low fuel state of the wingmen’s aircraft, he directed them to depart the scene although their departure almost surely would lead to his own capture by the enemy troops. Commander Crayton’s sound judgment, selfless concern for his men, and extraordinary heroism in the face of grave personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1966
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 Render Crayton (NSN: 0-529039/1315), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during March 1966. Commander Crayton’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 Crayton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August – September 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Commander Render Crayton (NSN: 0-529039/1315), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period August 1966 to September 1966. Commander Crayton’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 Crayton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.