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 Lieutenant Commander Dale Walter Doss (NSN: 0-591159), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 13 March 1968 as a Naval Flight Officer in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in the aircraft carrier U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65). Flying in the aircraft of the second section leader in a four-plane A-6 division, Lieutenant Commander Doss participated in a successful attack against an important bridge in the center of Haiphong, North Vietnam, during a daring daylight strike. Although forced to evade three surface-to-air missiles, he assisted his pilot in pressing on to the target at a reduced power setting to enable their wingman, whose aircraft had a larger bomb load, to maintain position. Lieutenant Commander Doss successfully navigated his section to the optimum roll-in point and delivered his bombs exactly on target, inflicting severe damage to the bridge. His exceptional airmanship, courage, 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 Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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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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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 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 Dale Walter Doss (NSN: 0-591159), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during November 1968. Commander Doss’ 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 Doss 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:
March 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Dale Walter Doss (NSN: 0-591159), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during March 1968. Commander Doss’ 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 Doss reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65)Action Date:
March 3, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Dale Walter Doss (NSN: 0-591159), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-6A bombardier/navigator with Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in the aircraft carrier U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65), in action against the enemy in Southeast Asia on 3 March 1968. Lieutenant Commander Doss assisted in the planning and conduct of a night, low-level radar attack against a thermal power plant, located north of Haiphong, North Vietnam. Successfully penetrating the radar-controlled defenses, he climbed to his release altitude while approaching the target and maintained an accurate radar tracking which insured a successful full-system weapons release, resulting in numerous secondary explosions. Lieutenant Commander Doss’ courage 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 Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1968 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Dale Walter Doss (NSN: 0-591159), United States Navy, 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 1968 to March 1973. Under the most adverse conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he serves as both an educator and an entertainer to provide 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 dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Doss is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 17, 1968 – March 14, 1973
Commander Dale Walter Doss (NSN: 0-591159), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 17, 1968 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:
September 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Dale Walter Doss (NSN: 0-591159), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in September 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 United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35)Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65)Action Date:
March 17, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Dale Walter Doss (NSN: 0-591159), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 17 March 1968, as a Naval Flight Officer with Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE (VA-35), embarked in the aircraft carrier U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65), during a combat mission over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Commander Doss assisted in the planning and execution of a daring night air strike against a heavily defended railroad classification yard, located deep in North Vietnam. Navigating his aircraft at perilously low altitude and high speed in adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant Commander Doss successfully penetrated the intense and accurate enemy defenses to reach the target area. Despite the inherent dangers associated with this low-level, night attack, plus the threat posed by the enemy antiaircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles, he undertook the mission with a selfless zeal indicating a true dedication to his profession. Lieutenant Commander Doss’ courageous actions and exceptional airmanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.