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 Norman Alexander McDaniel (AFSN: FR-55957), 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 1966 to July 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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Norman Alexander McDaniel (AFSN: FR-55957), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel McDaniel culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest 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:
July 20, 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 the Silver Star to Major Norman Alexander McDaniel (AFSN: FR-55957), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 20 July 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 McDaniel 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
41st Tactical Reconnaissance SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
July 5, 1966
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 Norman Alexander McDaniel (AFSN: FR-55957), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Electronic Warfare Officer over North Vietnam on 5 July 1966. On that date, while participating in an extremely hazardous combat mission, Captain McDaniel, by his outstanding display of professionalism and courage in the face of hostile fire from unfriendly forces, was highly instrumental in the overall success of the air operation. The results of his highly commendable efforts provided a major contribution to the tactical air mission in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain McDaniel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 1986 – December 1987
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Norman Alexander McDaniel (AFSN: FR-55957), United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as the Deputy Assistant for Technology Cooperation, International Programs and Technology, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition) on the National Disclosure Policy Committee, which is responsible for executing direction from the National Security Council to establish the United States Government position on the release of classified military information to foreign governments. In that capacity, and in support of numerous other technology release/transfer issues, he provided vital in-depth analyses that were used, in great measure, by our Government in its final determinations regarding the protection of the United States technology – a vital national resource. Colonel McDaniel has served his nation in an exemplary manner in peace and in war as a courageous American. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel McDaniel culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
41st Tactical Reconnaissance SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction 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 Captain Norman Alexander McDaniel (AFSN: FR-55957), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight an EB-66C Destroyer Electronic Warfare Officer with the 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia in 1966. 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1967 – March 1970
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 Norman Alexander McDaniel (AFSN: FR-55957), 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 August 1967 to March 1970. 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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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Norman Alexander McDaniel (AFSN: FR-55957), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel McDaniel and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country 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:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 20, 1966 – February 12, 1973
Major Norman Alexander McDaniel (AFSN: FR-55957), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 20, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.