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.

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.

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.