Ross Terry was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 9, 1966, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Ross
Randle
Terry
POW (RVN)
February 1, 1936
–
Awards Received
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 9, 1966 – March 4, 1973
Commander Ross Randle Terry (NSN: 0-4767311), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 9, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Fighter Squadron 154 (VF-154)Division:
U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)Action Date:
October 9, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Ross Randle Terry (NSN: 0-4767311), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 9 October 1966 as a naval flight officer of jet aircraft, serving with Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR (VF-154), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. In an attack on a railroad complex at Phu Ly, North Vietnam, Commander Terry, flying in the lead aircraft of a section of flak-suppressors, skillfully navigated through extremely difficult conditions to the target area. While assisting the pilot in the evasion of enemy surface-to-air missiles and intense anti-aircraft artillery fire, he continued to supply vital attack parameters, enabling the pilot to score a direct hit on a major flak site. Commander Terry’s courage, skill, and dedication were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 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 Ross Randle Terry (NSN: 0-4767311), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in April 1969. 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.]
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Ross Randle Terry (NSN: 0-4767311), 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 October 1966 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Under constant harassment from their captors, and due to the frustrations of the prisoners during their long internment, many difficult situations arose, requiring perseverance, endurance and ingenuity. Using his extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and sound judgment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Terry is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 2, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Ross Randle Terry (NSN: 0-4767311), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 2 June 1969. Commander Terry’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 Terry reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Ross Randle Terry (NSN: 0-4767311), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in October 1966. 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.]