(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Colonel “H” “C” Copeland (AFSN: AO-3015953), 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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1970 – October 1971
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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel “H” “C” Copeland (AFSN: AO-3015953), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period November 1970 to October 1971, 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. Colonel Copeland 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
333d Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
July 17, 1967
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 “H” “C” Copeland (AFSN: AO-3015953), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a F-105 Pilot in the 333d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action over North Vietnam, on 17 July 1967. On that date, Major Copeland was element lead in a four-ship flight directed to attack a railroad yard in the most heavily defended area in Southeast Asia. Major Copeland flew through intense and accurate tracking and predicted barrage flak to roll in on and attack one of the six firing flak sites in his immediate area. In spite of the barrages exploding only feet from his aircraft, Major Copeland, unhesitatingly and with great risk to his life, continued his run. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Copeland has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 17, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Colonel H. C. Copeland (AFSN: AO-3015953), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 17, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1967
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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel “H” “C” Copeland (AFSN: AO-3015953), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during July 1967, 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. Colonel Copeland 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1967 – October 1972
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 Colonel “H” “C” Copeland (AFSN: AO-3015953), 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 July 1967 to October 1972. 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:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1968 – October 1972
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 Colonel “H” “C” Copeland (AFSN: AO-3015953), 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 January 1968 to October 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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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 with Combat “V” to Major “H” “C” Copeland (AFSN: AO-3015953), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 1 July 1967. On that date, Major Copeland’s aircraft sustained a flak hit while he was still eleven miles short of his target. At a greatly increased risk of his own personal safety, he continued on through unceasing flak and rolled in on his desired objective, inflicting substantial damage on the hostile force supply line with his ordnance. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Copeland reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1968 – September 1968
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 Colonel “H” “C” Copeland (AFSN: AO-3015953), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1968 to September 1968. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.