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 Lieutenant Colonel Willis Ellis Forby (AFSN: 0-3040351/17393526), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Tactical Fighter Pilot of the 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 20 September 1965. On that date, Captain Forby’s flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs was tasked with destroying a vital railroad bridge complex deep within hostile territory. Navigating through multi-layered clouds interspersed with numerous thunderstorms, Captain Forby broke out over the target only to find it obscured by smoke and debris from bomb hits by a previous strike. Undaunted and not willing to risk the possibility of an inaccurate bomb delivery, Captain Forby aborted his first pass and climbed back up into the clouds to set up for another pass. He then courageously rolled in to deliver his bombs with pin-point accuracy, destroying the target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Forby reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1968 – February 1966
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 Willis Ellis Forby (AFSN: 0-3040351/17393526), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 1968 to February 1966. 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 20, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Willis Ellis Forby (AFSN: 0-3040351/17393526), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 20, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
334th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Lieutenant Colonel Willis Ellis Forby (AFSN: 0-3040351/17393526), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in 1965. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and 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:
August 1966 – 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 the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Willis Ellis Forby (AFSN: 0-3040351/17393526), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from August 1966 to 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. Lieutenant Colonel Forby 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:
ColonelAction Date:
August 14, 1978 – December 31, 1984
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 Willis Ellis Forby (AFSN: 0-3040351/17393526), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Housing and Services, Deputy Chief of Staff Engineering and Services, Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, from 14 August 1978 to 31 December 1984. During this period, the exemplary leadership, professional skills, and devotion to duty of Colonel Forby led to greatly improved facilities throughout the Military Airlift Command, as well as greatly improved management and morale among Housing and Services organizations. His efforts to improve the readiness posture of the Services units led to an Air Force-wide Services readiness program and were important factors in Military Airlift Command operations throughout the world. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Forby culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest 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:
October 1965 – December 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 Willis Ellis Forby (AFSN: 0-3040351/17393526), 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 October 1965 to December 1968. 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1965 – 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 Lieutenant Colonel Willis Ellis Forby (AFSN: 0-3040351/17393526), 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 September 1965 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.