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 Major Paul Anthony Kari, United States Air Force, for heroic achievement in connection with operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 1966 to June 1966. Major Kari was detained by the Vietnamese at a camp called “Briar Patch” which was characterized by daily harassment, duress, and torture. Major Kari resisted the enemy’s attempts to extract military information and propaganda statements and suffered beatings and tight handcuffs torture that impaired normal usage of his hands for weeks. By his heroic resistance of the enemy’s cruel and barbaric treatment Major Kari was an inspiration to all fellow prisoners thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Army. Great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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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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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 21, 1965
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 Paul Anthony Kari, United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 21 June 1965, 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. Major Kari 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1965 – June 1969
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 Major Paul Anthony Kari, 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 June 1965 to June 1969. 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
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 Captain Paul Anthony Kari, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Aircraft Commander of an F-4C fighter-bomber over North Vietnam on 4 June 1965. On that date, Captain Kari’s flight was assigned the mission of destroying a vital thermal power plant and nearby irrigation pumping stations. Displaying tenacious combat instinct coupled with utter disregard for his own safety, Captain Kari courageously pressed his attack in the face of withering anti-aircraft fire to score direct hits and destroy the power plant almost single-handedly. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Kari reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1, 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Paul Anthony Kari, United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 1 June 1966, 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. Major Kari 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:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1965 – January 1967
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 Paul Anthony Kari, 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 October 1965 to January 1967. 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:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 20, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Major Paul Anthony Kari, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 20, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.