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 Laird Guttersen (AFSN: 17144156), 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 February 1968 to February 1971. 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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1968
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 Colonel Laird Guttersen (AFSN: 17144156), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during February 1968, 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 Guttersen 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1968 – December 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 Colonel Laird Guttersen (AFSN: 17144156), 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 December 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 23, 1968 – March 14, 1973
Colonel Laird Guttersen (AFSN: 17144156), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 23, 1968 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1970 – February 1973
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 Laird Guttersen (AFSN: 17144156), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from January 1970 to February 1973 in dealing with highly classified material while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. As a leader and staff advisor, Colonel Guttersen successfully coped with daily problems which required patience, perseverance, and at times ingenuity. He performed his duties in an outstanding manner over long periods of time with dedication and unflinching loyalty which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First Lieutenant [then Second Lieutenant]Regiment:
18th Fighter Bomber WingAction Date:
September 4, 1952
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 First Lieutenant [then Second Lieutenant] Laird Guttersen (AFSN: 17144156), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot with the 18th Fighter Bomber Wing on 4 September 1952. Flying as a wingman in a flight of four F-51 type aircraft, Lieutenant Guttersen showed exceptional leadership and airmanship by navigating over hazardous mountainous terrain to attack a large freighter anchored near Chinnampo, Korea. Lieutenant Guttersen bombed and strafed with such accuracy that he is credited with two direct hits and the destruction of the ship, only leaving after it was gutted and burning. Lieutenant Guttersen then strafed and rocketed nearby enemy gun positions, scoring several hits. Though under constant small arms and automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Guttersen’s determination and ability directly led to this flight being credited with one ship gutted and burning, all decks and loading facilities in the target area destroyed, and three gun positions damaged. As a result of this mission vital lubricants and supplies were destroyed, and the enemy’s means of transportation seriously hampered. By his high personal courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Guttersen has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-868 (March 19, 1968)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 Major Laird Guttersen (AFSN: 17144156), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam on 6 November 1967. On that date, Major Guttersen was flying a night armed reconnaissance mission against major truck routes of unfriendly forces, routes on which vital supplies for insurgents in South Vietnam were transported. Demonstrating superior airmanship and navigational skill, Major Guttersen succeeded in locating a large convoy of hostile trucks, and delivered his ordnance so as to halt their movement. The anti-aircraft defenses in the heavily defended area immediately brought Major Guttersen’s aircraft under heavy and accurate fire. With little regard for his own personal safety, Major Guttersen attacked and effectively silenced two anti-aircraft emplacements, in addition to destroying a large quantity of the supplies in the trapped convoy. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Guttersen reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.