Leo Profilet was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on August 21, 1967, and was held until his release on March 15, 1973.

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Leo Profilet was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on August 21, 1967, and was held until his release on March 15, 1973.





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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain [then Commander] Leo Twyman Profilet, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX (VA-196), embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64), on 21 August 1967, in Southeast Asia. Captain Profilet demonstrated exceptional leadership and professional abilities in the planning and execution of a coordinated air-wing attack against the vital Duc Noi Rail Yard, situated five miles north of Hanoi, North Vietnam. As alternate strike leader and pathfinder pilot for the strike, he assisted in the careful selection of a circuitous route, through cloud-shrouded mountainous terrain, which avoided most known antiaircraft emplacements and surface-to-air missile sites until the immediate approach to the target area. Encountering intense enemy opposition at this point, Captain Profilet commenced his precision bombing run. Although his aircraft received a direct hit from a surface-to-air missile and was soon engulfed in flames, he quickly released his bombs, ordered his bombardier to eject, and immediately followed him in egressing from the aircraft. The remaining strike aircraft, inspired by Captain Profilet’s gallant actions, dived through the heavy enemy fire to deliver extremely accurate and highly devastating attacks on the target. By his indomitable leadership and courage, Captain Profilet contributed greatly to the major damage inflicted on this vital North Vietnamese transportation facility, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Leo Twyman Profilet, 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 21 August 1967 to 15 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. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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(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 Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Leo Twyman Profilet, United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Under the most adverse of conditions, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, her performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Leo Twyman Profilet, United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 21 August 1967 to 15 March 1973. 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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Captain Leo Twyman Profilet, United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 21, 1967 until his release on March 15, 1973.