The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Joseph Edward Milligan, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight over hostile territory as an F-4C Aircraft Commander with the 433d Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action on 11 March 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Milligan was missioned to strike a major steel mill complex in hostile territory. Despite marginal weather and the devastating fire from the most extensive defense network encountered by United States Air Force in Southeast Asia, Lieutenant Milligan disregarded his own personal safety and pressed the attack which produced major damage to a vital part of the target complex. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Milligan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 20, 1967 – February 18, 1973
Captain Joseph Edward Milligan, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 20, 1967 until his release on February 18, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1967 – October 1971
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 Captain Joseph Edward Milligan, 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 November 1967 to October 1961. 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
433d Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 20, 1967
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders G-1214 (1967)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 with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Joseph Edward Milligan, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Pilot with the 433d Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 20 May 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Milligan was part of a combat air patrol which observed ten or more hostile aircraft attacking the strike force they were assigned to protect. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Milligan joined in the attack against the opposing forces and assisted in the destruction of four aircraft. This courageous and aggressive attack against superior odds disorganized the hostile forces, negated their threat, and allowed all friendly forces to safely egress unfriendly air space. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Milligan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 20 – 28, 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 Captain Joseph Edward Milligan, United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force from 20 May 1967 to 28 May 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. Captain Milligan 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:
ColonelAction Date:
July 1, 1985 – September 30, 1988
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 Joseph Edward Milligan, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, initially as Director, Life Sciences, Deputy Chief of Staff for Medical and Life Sciences, then as Director of Human Systems and Director of Combat Support, Deputy Chief of Staff for Technology and Requirements Planning, Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, from 1 July 1985 to 30 September 1988. In these key positions, he had Air Staff and Headquarters Air Force Systems Command responsibility for the billion dollar Air Base Operability and Human Systems Technology programs. He was a pioneer in the Air Base Operability movement, authoring the first Air Force Air Base Operability Mission Area Plan which will drive Air Force Air Base Operability research and development for the next twenty years. He directed the Air Force’s multi-million dollar core program of Human Centered Research and Development, the largest human systems technology research and development program in Air Force history. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Milligan culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1967 – May 1970
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 Captain Joseph Edward Milligan, 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 May 1967 to May 1970. 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.