Lieutenant Colonel Warren Robert Lilly, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 6, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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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 Warren Robert Lilly, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a CH-=3 Rescue Helicopter Pilot over North Vietnam on 1 November 1965. On that date, Captain Lilly flew an unarmed helicopter over dense jungle terrain in an effort to rescue a downed pilot. Upon locating the pilot, Captain Lilly was unable to land the helicopter due to the density of the trees and undergrowth; he then elected to lower the paramedic to the ground to assist the injured pilot to a better location. While hovering over the area the helicopter developed mechanical difficulties and was forced to withdraw from the pick-up site. After returning to the area, Captain Lilly was able to maneuver the helicopter to a position atop the trees and made a successful rescue. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Lilly reflect 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:
September 1968 – October 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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Warren Robert Lilly, United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from September 1968 to October 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. Lieutenant Colonel Lilly 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:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1965 – November 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 Lieutenant Colonel Warren Robert Lilly, 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 November 1965 to November 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1967 – 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 Warren Robert Lilly, 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 June 1967 to July 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
38th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
November 6, 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 Captain Warren Robert Lilly, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Aircraft Commander of a rescue helicopter of the 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 6 November 1965. On that date, Captain Lilly displayed an outstanding degree of courage and devotion to duty as he voluntarily flew an unarmed and extremely vulnerable rescue aircraft into a hostile area known to contain numerous concentrations of heavy anti-aircraft weapons in a valiant attempt to rescue a downed U.S. Air Force pilot. As he entered the recovery area, Captain Lilly’s aircraft encountered heavy ground fire and burst into flames, causing him and his crew members to bail out over hostile territory. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Lilly has 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:
November 1966 – May 1969
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 Lieutenant Colonel Warren Robert Lilly, United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from November 1966 to May 1969, 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 Lilly 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:
April 24, 1967 – May 4, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Warren Robert Lilly, United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force from 24 April 1967 to 4 May 1969, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Colonel Lilly and two other officers aided a fellow prisoner who was in the next cell and was being brutally treated with his legs spread-eagled in irons and his hands tightly manacled behind him. These officers passed an implement to the victim with which he was able to “jimmy” open the handcuffs. At great personal risk, Colonel Lilly maintained vigilance against approaching guards and continued to communicate during the brief rest periods. Colonel Lilly’s conduct under extremely adverse conditions reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.