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.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War in North VietnamAction Date:
October 1965 – October 1968
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 Captain Thomas Joseph Barrett (AFSN: AO-3120130), 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 October 1965 to October 1968. 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.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 1, 1969 – January 15, 1973
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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
43d Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
October 5, 1965
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 First Lieutenant Thomas Joseph Barrett (AFSN: AO-3120130), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action as Pilot of an F-4C Fighter-bomber of the 43d Tactical Fighter Squadron, in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force over Southeast Asia, on 5 October 1965. On that date, Lieutenant Barrett’s aircraft was struck by hostile anti-aircraft fire while approaching its assigned target. Disregarding the ensuing fire and smoke, Lieutenant Barrett displayed an extraordinary degree of courage as he determinedly continued his attack rather than abort the mission, and dropped his bombs squarely on target. Then, after a futile attempt to further control his damaged aircraft, Lieutenant Barrett was forced to eject while deep within hostile territory. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Barrett has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Thomas Joseph Barrett (AFSN: AO-3120130), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in November 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. Captain Barrett 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:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1965 – January 1966
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 Captain Thomas Joseph Barrett (AFSN: AO-3120130), 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 October 1965 to January 1966. 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 First Lieutenant Thomas Joseph Barrett (AFSN: AO-3120130), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of a F-4C aircraft over North Vietnam, on 24 September 1965. Twice on that date, Lieutenant Barrett flew his aircraft through intense anti-aircraft fire and in adverse weather in an effort to bring final destruction to the Vihn Lihn Army Barracks. Lieutenant Barrett’s aggressive actions were instrumental in inflicting heavy damage on a military installation of great importance to hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Barrett reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 5, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Captain Thomas Joseph Barrett (AFSN: AO-3120130), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 5, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.