Commander William Robert Stark (NSN: 0-3026700), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 19, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 96 (VF-96)Division:
U.S.S. EnterpriseAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander William Robert Stark (NSN: 0-3026700), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Radar Intercept Officer in F-4B Phantom aircraft of Fighting Squadron NINETY-SIX, (VF-96), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, in action over Southeast Asia in 1967. His gallant and untiring devotion to duty was at all times in keeping with 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 19, 1967 – March 4, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander William Robert Stark (NSN: 0-3026700), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 19 May 1967 to 4 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 19 – 28, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander William Robert Stark (NSN: 0-3026700), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 19 to 28 May 1967. Commander Stark’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 Stark 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:
April 28, 1968 – July 15, 1999
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 William Robert Stark (NSN: 0-3026700), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 28 April 1968 – 15 July 1969. Commander Stark’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 Stark reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 19, 1967 – March 4, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander William Robert Stark (NSN: 0-3026700), 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 19 May 1967 to 4 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.]