The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel John Lorin Borling (AFSN: FR-69907), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, CHECKMATE Group and as Assistant Director for Operational Initiatives and Joint Matters, Directorate of Operations, Deputy Chief of Staff/Plans and Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, from 31 July 1980 to 1 March 1982. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Colonel Borling resulted in significant contributions to the enhancement of Air Force combat readiness worldwide. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Borling and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Superior Service Medal to Major General John Lorin Borling, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as the Senior Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, and as Executive and Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, from August 1984 to June 1986. His keen insight, enthusiasm, drive, dedication, and extensive knowledge of issues affecting United States and Allied forces enabled him to make important contributions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance. He was the leader on a highly classified and alliance-wide air defense improvements project. It included problem identification, solution costing, and consensus building, resulting in a $500 million program being adopted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations. He directed all Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe staff actions for the Supreme Allied Commander and the Chief of Staff. The distinctive accomplishments of General Borling reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1, 1966 – February 12, 1973
Major John Lorin Borling, United States Air Force, was captured after he was shot down over North Vietnam on 1 June 1966 and held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1966 – November 1967
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 Major John Lorin Borling (AFSN: FR-69907), 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 September 1966 to November 1967. 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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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
June 22, 1986 – January 25, 1991
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General John Lorin Borling (AFSN: FR-69907), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Borling distinguished himself as Executive to Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command; Deputy Director for Analysis, Concepts, and Systems, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff; Assistant for Plans and Policy, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Commander 57th Air Division, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota; and Assistant Deputy Chief and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, from 22 June 1986 to 25 January 1991. General Borling’s tenacious leadership remarkable insight have forged a new era in combat capability for the Command. To counter vast changes in force structure caused by a drastically reduced defense budget, he has solved “operational” problems with “operational” solutions, developing new employment concepts and honing warfighting skills that sharply increased both the potency and diversity of the Strategic Air Command’s combat capabilities. His keep decision making skills have made him a linchpin in the superior performance of the Strategic Air Command Senior and Support Battle Staffs during contingency operations. His creative approach to operational planning and managerial innovation has made a distinct and enduring imprint on the Strategic Air Command and our national defense posture. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Borling and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Major General John Lorin Borling, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of Major General Borling reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
January 1992 – June 1994
The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Major General John Lorin Borling, United States Air Force, for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security and the defense of the United States. Major General Borling distinguished himself by exceptionally distinguished service as Deputy Chief of Staff, Air and Deputy Chief of Staff, Principal Subordinate Command NORTH, Headquarters Allied Forces Northern Europe, Kolsaas, Norway, from January 1992 to June 1994. During this period General Borling made dramatic improvements in the effectiveness of allied air operations in the Northern Region. His outstanding leadership was reflected by the great success of the Tactical Fighter Meet exercise program. His initiative and personal involvement overcame many planning difficulties during a period of massive command restructuring and preserved essential continuity of exercise operations, thus increasing the readiness of the Region’s air forces. As Executive Agent for the development of the new tri-service command and control headquarters at Stavanger, Norway, General Borling was the driving force behind the successful establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s first fully integrated headquarters. His leadership ensured the Commander-in-Chief’s goals and priorities were met and the headquarters was properly staffed and equipped to meet mission capability requirements ahead of schedule. The result of his efforts was a model for future integrated headquarters in Allied Command Europe. The distinctive accomplishments of General Borling reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1 – September 12, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major John Lorin Borling (AFSN: FR-69907), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 1 August 1966 to 12 September 1966, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. During this period major Borling was placed into a dark cell, severely harassed and brutally tortured for a war crimes confession. While resisting to the limits of his physical and mental abilities, Major Borling continued to communicate with others who were under heavy enemy pressure, morally inspiring them to hold out for a long period against enemy demands. The word of Major Borling’s heroic resistance spread across the prison camp and was a source of inspiration to his fellow officers. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Borling has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorlyDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1966 – June 1969
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 Majorl John Lorin Borling (AFSN: FR-69907), 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 June 1966 to June 1969. 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
433d Fighter SquadronDivision:
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
March 23, 1966
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-560 (July 12, 1966)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant John Lorin Borling (AFSN: FR-69907), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-4 pilot with the 433d Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 23 March 1966. On that date, while conducting a night tactical fighter operation in a heavily defended area and using flare light for target illumination, Lieutenant Borling experienced extremely heavy and accurate ground fire from over 40 gun positions. Even though flank completely encircled his position, Colonel Borling, disregarding personal safety, accomplished a dive bomb attack, destroying a large military storage area. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Borling reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
433d Fighter SquadronDivision:
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 31, 1966
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-560 (July 12, 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 First Lieutenant John Lorin Borling (AFSN: FR-69907), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-4 pilot with the 433d Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over hostile territory in Southeast Asia on 31 May 1966. On that date, while conducting night tactical fighter operations in an extremely heavily defended area, Lieutenant Borling attacked and destroyed a vital target on the main railroad supply line within hostile territory. This target was highly important and Lieutenant Borling, with complete disregard for his personal safety, flew the entire low level route through heavy flak and under hazardous night conditions to deliver ordnance on the target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Borling reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.