Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Theodore Ballard, Jr. (AFSN: OF-31816), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 26, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
13th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Arthur Theodore Ballard, Jr. (AFSN: OF-31816), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, in action over Southeast Asia in 1966. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
13th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
September 1, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Theodore Ballard, Jr. (AFSN: OF-31816), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, in action over North Vietnam on 1 September 1966. On that date, Captain Ballard flew his heavily laden Thunderchief armed with high explosive bombs against a strategic petroleum storage area located in the heart of North Vietnam’s industrial complex. Inbound to the target three surface-to-air missiles were fired at his flight and MiG’s were encountered in the area. Although intense and accurate flak engulfed his target area, he made his bomb run and scored a direct hit, destroying a vital petroleum storage area. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ballard reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Theodore Ballard, Jr. (AFSN: OF-31816), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 10, 1966
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 Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Theodore Ballard, Jr. (AFSN: OF-31816), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 10 October 1966, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Lieutenant Colonel Ballard 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 Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1971 – March 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Theodore Ballard, Jr. (AFSN: OF-31816), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period from January 1971 to March 1972. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War in North VietnamAction Date:
September 1966 – November 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Theodore Ballard, Jr. (AFSN: OF-31816), United States Air Force, 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 September 1966 – November 1970. 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 North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.