The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Thomas Joseph Barrett (AFSN: AO-3120130), United States Air Force, for outstanding achievement in a position of leadership while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 December 1969 to 15 January 1973. This officer performed duties dealing in highly classified material while under constant surveillance of the enemy. He generated new ideas and improvised new techniques which greatly enhanced covert operations. His outstanding performance and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Captain Thomas Joseph Barrett (AFSN: AO-3120130), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement from May 1968 to February 1969 as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam. Captain Barrett was a member of a composite team of officers whose steadfast efforts resulted in the saving of the life of a fellow Prisoner of War who was tortured beyond the limits of mental and physical endurance. Despite his own illness and the constant harassment of armed guards, Captain Barrett never wavered in his dedication to the group’s primary goal of saving their fellow officer’s life through ingenious methods of forced feeding and manual physical exercise, attending to his every need including medical care, personal hygiene, mental therapy and twenty-four hour emergency watch. Captain Barrett’s demonstrated qualities of loyalty, sacrifice and heroism reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.