Hayden Lockhart graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1961. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on March 2, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973. He retired in 1981 as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Hayden
James
Lockhart
, Jr.
POW (RVN)
June 16, 1938
–
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
613th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, South ViettnamAction Date:
March 2, 1965
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 First Lieutenant Hayden James Lockhart, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 2 March 1965. On that date, Lieutenant Lockhart was a member of a flak suppression mission consisting of eight F-100 aircraft. Approaching the target area, heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered and Lieutenant Lockhart, with complete disregard for his own safety, delivered his ordnance directly on target. As he pulled off the target, he noticed his aircraft was on fire, and was advised to eject. Lieutenant Lockhart ejected successfully and was captured by hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Lockhart reflect 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:
March 1965 – March 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 Hayden James Lockhart, Jr., 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 March 1965 to March 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:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1965 – September 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 Major Hayden James Lockhart, Jr., 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 September 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:
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 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Hayden James Lockhart, Jr., 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 Lockhart 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:
August 1, 1967 – January 15, 1973
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 Hayden James Lockhart, Jr., United States Air Force, for outstanding achievement in a position of leadership while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 August 1967 to 15 January 1973. This officer performed duties dealing in highly classified material while under constant surveillance of the enemy. He generated new ideas and improvised new techniques which greatly enhanced covert operations. His outstanding performance and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and 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:
March 2, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Major Hayden James Lockhart, Jr., United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 2, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.