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 Major Willard Selleck Gideon (AFSN: 13425173/3025283), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Combat Pilot of a Republic F-105 Thunderchief over North Vietnam on 5 August 1966. On that date, Major Gideon led a flight against a strategically important target within the Hanoi defense perimeter. Relying on courage and professional skill, Major Gideon led his flight through the delivery maneuvers, releasing their ordnance on target, and destroying it completely. He then navigated out of the area and returned the entire flight to home. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Gideon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1966 – February 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 Willard Selleck Gideon (AFSN: 13425173/3025283), 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 August 1966 to February 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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Silver Star
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-777 (September 27, 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 Major Willard Selleck Gideon (AFSN: 13425173/3025283), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief, in action over North Vietnam on 7 August 1966. On that date, Major Gideon participated in the destruction of a major petroleum storage facility in North Vietnam. Demonstrating superior skill, aggressiveness and determination, he pressed his attack delivering all ordnance on target while evading Surface-to-Air missiles that were launched gains him, as well as extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Gideon has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1968 – January 1969
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 Major Willard Selleck Gideon (AFSN: 13425173/3025283), 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 February 1968 to January 1969. 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:
ColonelAction Date:
June 25, 1976 – May 31, 1983
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 Willard Selleck Gideon (AFSN: 13425173/3025283), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Supply, Commander, 437th Supply Squadron, and Deputy Commander for Resource Management, 437th Military Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, from 25 June 1976 to 31 May 1983. In these important assignments, Colonel Gideon’s outstanding executive talents and untiring devotion to duty resulted in vastly improved logistics support to the wing and the Military Airlift Command. Under his direction, previous goals were exceeded in supply support effectiveness, vehicle in-commission rates, and contracting management indicators. The 437th Military Airlift Wing’s one-year record of 128 effective deployments in support of Joint Chiefs of Staff and Military Airlift Command objectives was a direct result of Colonel Gideon’s outstanding management of mobility and base resources. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Gideon culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 7, 1966 – March 4, 1973
Major Willard Selleck Gideon (AFSN: 13425173/3025283), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 7, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.