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 Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain] Richard Paul Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 21 July 1965 over Mugia Pass, North Vietnam. On that date, while piloting an F-4 aircraft, Colonel Keirn made repeated attacks on a heavily fortified enemy truck part. In spite of low clouds, marginal visibility, and accurate enemy ground fire. Colonel Keirn skillfully delivered all bombs directly on target. Many secondary explosions plus bomb damage assessment information revealed the severity of the blow to the enemy’s transportation system. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Keirn reflect 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 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 the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during 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 Keirn 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:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1969
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 Lieutenant Colonel Richard Paul Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during July 1969. 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:
Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain]Batallion:
47th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction 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 Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain] Richard Paul Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an F-4C Fighter Airplane of the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia in 1965. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain]Batallion:
47th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction 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 to Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain] Richard Paul Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an F-4C Fighter Airplane of the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia in 1965. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 24, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 24, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Flight OfficerDivision:
Prisoner of War (Germany)Action Date:
September 11, 1944 – May 5, 1945
Flight Officer Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Army Air Forces, was held as a Prisoner of War in Germany from September 11, 1944 until his release on May 5, 1945.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
April 23, 1975 – June 30, 1976
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 Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Director and as Director of Operational Services, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters NINTH Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, from 23 April 1975 to 30 June 1976. During this period, the exceptional professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Colonel Keirn contributed significantly to the combat effectiveness of tactical forces assigned to NINTH Air Force. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Keirn culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country, and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 8, 1966 – May 24, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Richard Paul Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 8 August 1966 to 24 May 1967. For ten months, as a member of a two-man team, he devoted himself to the seemingly impossible task of saving the life of a helpless cellmate. Despite the constant harassment of the guards and the danger to his own personal safety, Colonel Keirn, by his continuous care of his fellow officer, was responsible for the sick man’s eventual recovery. By his heroic actions and unselfish devotion to duty, he has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1965 – February 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 Richard P. Keirn (AFSN: AO-936812), 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 July 1965 to February 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.