The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal (Army Award) to Captain Guy Dennis Gruters (AFSN: FR-78680), United States Air Force, for outstanding meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 27 March 1967 to 18 July 1967. through his untiring efforts and professional ability, he consistently obtained outstanding results. He was quick to grasp the implications of new problems with which he was faced as a result of the ever changing situations inherent in a counterinsurgency operation and to find ways and means to solve those problems. The energetic application of his extensive knowledge has materially contributed to the efforts of the United States Mission to the Republic of Vietnam to assist that country in ridding itself of the communist threat to its freedom. His initiative, zeal, sound judgement and devotion to duty have been in the highest tradition of the United States Air Force and reflect great credit on hm and on the military service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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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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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
19th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
October 23, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force (PACAF), Special Orders G-325 (January 29, 1968)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 Captain Guy Dennis Gruters (AFSN: FR-78680), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot and a Forward Air Controller with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action against the enemy over North Vietnam, on 23 October 1967. On that date, Captain Gruters directed fighter operations against a large concentration of hostile 57 millimeter anti-aircraft artillery. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Gruters repeatedly flew his unarmed F-100 aircraft across the target to intentionally draw the ground fire, thus exposing the exact positions of the hostile guns and minimizing the danger for the other pilots. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Gruters 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:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 20, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Captain Guy Dennis Gruters (AFSN: FR-78680), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 20, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 20, 1967 – March 14, 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 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Guy Dennis Gruters (AFSN: FR-78680), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. 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:
First LieutenantBatallion:
19th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
July 15 & 16, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-2245 (December 14, 1967)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 Guy Dennis Gruters (AFSN: FR-78680), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Pilot and a Forward Air Controller with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, in action near the Special Forces camp at Dac Pek, Republic of Vietnam on 15 July and 16 July 1967. During the two-day attack by hostile forces, Lieutenant Gruters directed the expenditure of the ordnance of nine flights of fighter against well dug-in hostile automatic weapons and mortar positions located on the ridge line just west of Dac Pek. Despite heavy ground fire, Lieutenant Gruters repeatedly sought and marked additional targets for the supporting aircraft that significantly reduced pressure on the Special Forces camp and nearby villages. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gruters 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:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 20, 1967 – March 14, 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Guy Dennis Gruters (AFSN: FR-78680), 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. 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Guy Dennis Gruters (AFSN: FR-78680), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Pilot and a Forward Air Controller and Pilot with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, in action over North Vietnam on 8 November 1967. On that date, Captain Gruters repeatedly flew through intense hostile antiaircraft artillery fire at low altitude in order to locate heavily camouflaged, highly lucrative fuel storage facilities. As a direct result of his courage and persistence in the face of intense hostile fire, this valuable target was precisely located, attacked and destroyed. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gruters 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:
First LieutenantBatallion:
19th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
June 20, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force (PACAF), Special Orders G-1693 (October 12, 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 First Lieutenant Guy Dennis Gruters (AFSN: FR-78680), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot and a Forward Air Controller with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action against the enemy near Dak To, Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 20 June 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Gruters directed fighter counterattacks that broke strong unfriendly force’s attacks on a friendly outpost. Lieutenant Gruters’ ability to direct the breaking of these attacks under hazardous conditions in rugged mountainous terrain and while under strong hostile fire, demonstrated outstanding professionalism and complete disregard for his own safety. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Lieutenant Gruters has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.