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 Jay Criddle Hess (AFSN: AO-3038594/AD-19448273), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-15 Aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action near Thai Nygen, North Vietnam, on 2 August 1967. On that date, Captain Hess flew the number four position in a flight of four F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers assigned to strike the heavily defended Thai Nygen Thermal Power Plant. Captain Hess’ quick and accurate target identification in restrictive visibility, his total disregard for his own safety after having sustained a direct hit from the intense anti-aircraft defenses, and his professional airmanship in the unerring delivery of his ordnance contributed immeasurably toward the destruction of an extremely important military target. This in turn, severely crippled the production of North Vietnam’s most significant iron and steel plant. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Hess has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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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
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Bronze Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Jay Criddle Hess (AFSN: AO-3038594/AD-19448273), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in 1966/1967. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hess reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
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 with Combat “V” to Captain Jay Criddle Hess (AFSN: AO-3038594/AD-19448273), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in 1966/1967. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hess reflect great credit upon himself and 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:
August 24, 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 Jay Criddle Hess (AFSN: AO-3038594/AD-19448273), 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 24, 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 the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Jay Criddle Hess (AFSN: AO-3038594/AD-19448273), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 24 August 1967 to 14 March 1973. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great 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 28, 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Jay Criddle Hess (AFSN: AO-3038594/AD-19448273), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 28 August 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 Hess 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:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 24, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1592 (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 Captain Jay Criddle Hess (AFSN: AO-3038594/AD-19448273), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-15 Aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action near Kep Airfield, North Vietnam, on 24 August 1967. On that date, Captain Hess flew his F-105 Thunderchief against the heavily defended Lang Dang railroad marshalling yard. His whole-hearted devotion to duty was demonstrated when after receiving a severe, direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, he continued the bomb run and delivered his ordnance directly on target. Moments later he had to eject from his crippled Thunderchief, but his bombs had destroyed numerous rail cars carrying vital supplies to the south. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Hess 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:
August 24, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Captain Jay Criddle Hess (AFSN: AO-3038594/AD-19448273), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 24, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 24, 1967 – March 14, 1973
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 Jay Criddle Hess (AFSN: AO-3038594/AD-19448273), 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 24 August 1967 to 14 March 1973. 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
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 the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Jay Criddle Hess (AFSN: AO-3038594/AD-19448273), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in 1966/1967. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hess reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.