Lieutenant Colonel Hubert Kelley Flesher (AFSN: AO-3035433/FR-32199), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 2, 1966 until his release on February 18, 1973.
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
October 25, 1966 – December 2, 1966
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 Lieutenant Colonel Hubert Kelley Flesher (AFSN: AO-3035433/FR-32199), United States Air Force, for meritorious achievement as Squadron Deputy Flight Commander while engaged in air and ground combat against an opposing armed force at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, from 25 October 1966 to 2 December 1966. During that time period while flying daily combat missions over North and South Vietnam, exposed to the constant threat of enemy ground action, he initiated and conducted many projects that were vital to the accomplishment of assigned missions and maintenance of morale. One such task was the exhaustive study in the area of Weapon Delivery Techniques which resulted in reduced combat losses. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Flesher in this responsible position 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:
June 28, 1967 – February 17, 1968
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 Hubert Kelley Flesher (AFSN: AO-3035433/FR-32199), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period 28 June 1967 to 17 February 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
480th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
November 10, 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 to Captain Hubert Kelley Flesher (AFSN: AO-3035433/FR-32199), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving a Flight Commander with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action against the enemy over South Vietnam on 10 November 1966. On that date, Captain Flesher led a flight of F-4 Phantom Jets against an enemy supply point and staging area that was being utilized to attack hard-pressed friendly forces. Pressing the attack in extremely severe weather conditions against hostile ground fire, Captain Flesher displayed a complete disregard for his own safety. This tenacious attitude displayed in the light of extreme odds resulted in destruction of the target. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Flesher reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
480th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
November 9, 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 to Captain Hubert Kelley Flesher (AFSN: AO-3035433/FR-32199), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-4C Pilot with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action against the enemy near Lai Dong, North Vietnam, on 9 November 1966. On that date, Captain Flesher was scrambled against a twelve-truck convoy suspected of carrying surface-to-air missiles. Despite marginal weather conditions, Captain Flesher proceeded directly to the target and delivered his ordnance under withering fire from several 37 and 67-mm. sites in the area. He then made several dry passes to draw the intense ground fire enabling his wingman to strike the convoy. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Flesher reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of 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:
December 1966 – May 1967
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 Lieutenant Colonel Hubert Kelley Flesher (AFSN: AO-3035433/FR-32199), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from December 1966 through May 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. Lieutenant Colonel Flesher 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:
CaptainBatallion:
480th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
November 25, 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 Captain Hubert Kelley Flesher (AFSN: AO-3035433/FR-32199), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Force, in action over North Vietnam, on 25 November 1966. On that date, on two separate missions, Captain Flesher conducted air-to-ground operations against a heavily defended Surface-to-Air Missile convoy that had been discovered moving South toward the Demilitarized Zone. On the second mission of that day, Captain Flesher’s aircraft was hit by hostile ground fire, but he continued to press multiple attacks until his ordnance was expended, then with complete disregard for his own safety and completely defenseless, Captain Flesher continued to make multiple dry passes against the defenses drawing enemy ground fire away from the other aircraft in his flight. This courageous and aggressive act against overwhelming odds resulted in the destruction of an important target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Flesher has reflected 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:
March 1969 – September 1970
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 Hubert Kelley Flesher (AFSN: AO-3035433/FR-32199), 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 March 1969 to September 1970. 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 2, 1966 – February 18, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Hubert Kelley Flesher (AFSN: AO-3035433/FR-32199), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. 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.