William Metzger graduated from the University of Wisconsin in June 1964, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in October 1964. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on May 19, 1967, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.
Sponsored by:
William
John
Metzger
, Jr.
POW (RVN)
September 3, 1941
–
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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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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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 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 William John Metzger, Jr. (NSN: 0-684859), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 19, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Lieutenant Commander William John Metzger, Jr. (NSN: 0-684859), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 19, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24)Division:
U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)Action Date:
May 19, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] William John Metzger, Jr. (NSN: 0-684859), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 19 May 1967, as a pilot flying jet aircraft, serving with Fighter Squadron TWENTY-FOUR (VF-24), embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. Lieutenant Metzger was a wingman in a flight of fighter aircraft escorting a strike group that was attacking an important target in the vicinity of Hanoi, North Vietnam. En route to the target, he expertly maneuvered with his section leader at a very low altitude in mountainous terrain, causing two enemy MiG-17 aircraft to break off their attack against the main strike group. As Lieutenant Metzger’s section rejoined the strike group to protect it from air attack near the target, a large number of enemy surface-to-air missiles, aircraft, and heavy and accurate anti-aircraft artillery fire were encountered over a large area. While his section leader was pursuing and destroying an enemy MiG-17, Lieutenant Metzger adeptly covered his leader from air attack and promptly alerted him of approaching surface-to-air missiles and enemy ground fire in their path. His superb airmanship, alertness, and professionalism during the encounters and engagements with enemy jet aircraft were directly responsible for the safety of his flight leader and the success of this hazardous mission in which four enemy aircraft were destroyed. Lieutenant Metzger’s courageous performance and determination were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
Summer 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander William John Metzger, Jr. (NSN: 0-684859), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in the Summer of 1968. 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:
October 1967 – April 1972
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 Lieutenant Commander William John Metzger, Jr. (NSN: 0-684859), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1967 to July 1969 and from October 1971 to April 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander William John Metzger, Jr. (NSN: 0-684859), 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 May 1967 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of 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 served as an educator 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 were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Metzger is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May – August 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander William John Metzger, Jr. (NSN: 0-684859), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May to August 1967. Lieutenant Commander Metzger’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, Lieutenant Commander Metzger reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.