Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

Staff Sergeant William Allen Baird, United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from May 6, 1968 until his release on March 5, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 1970 – March 1973
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 56 (December 31, 1974)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant William Allen Baird, United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period November 1970 through March 1973. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions and propaganda materials. Staff Sergeant Baird resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    May 6, 1968 – March 5, 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Staff Sergeant William Allen Baird, United States Army, for meritorious achievement in action against an armed enemy of the United States while detained as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia during the period 6 May 1968 to 5 March 1973. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of Southeast Asia demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, this American continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.