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 First Lieutenant Thomas Nelson Moe, United States Air Force, for connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4C pilot in Southeast Asia on 16 January 1968. On that date, Lieutenant Moe had to eject from his F-4C in North Vietnam over one hundred miles from friendly territory. He evaded capture for almost forty-eight hours, vectored search aircraft into his area, and called for air suppression against hostile forces at times within one hundred meters of his own position. When his capture seemed unavoidable, he destroyed his radio, isolating himself from rescue, rather than risk its capture and use to jeopardize the rescue of his fellow crew member. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Moe has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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 Thomas Nelson Moe, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as Air Attach, United States Embassy, Bern, Switzerland, Defense Intelligence Agency, from July 1989 to July 1992. Colonel Moe’s superior performance was recognized time and again by the highest authorities in the United States Government. Through extremely sensitive personal diplomacy, he was able to acquire for the Swiss Government an historical level of cooperation during the Gulf War. Since this discreet understanding, Switzerland has made a more public and resolute stand in favor of future similar international cooperation in order to deter aggression. Throughout his tour, he worked methodically and skillfully to bring to fruition an extremely difficult and politically sensitive sale of fighter aircraft to Switzerland. The nature and success of this effort earned a specific endorsement by the Secretary of Defense who directed that the program be transmitted to United States embassies around the world as a winning model. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Moe reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
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Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November – December 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 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Thomas Nelson Moe, 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 1968 to December 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. Captain Moe 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:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1968 – January 1971
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 Thomas Nelson Moe, 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 January 1968 to January 1971. 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:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1968 – May 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 Captain Thomas Nelson Moe, 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 May 1968 to May 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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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 First Lieutenant Thomas Nelson Moe, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of an F-4C “Phantom II” tactical jet fighter on 5 November 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Moe led a flight of two F-4C’s on a night armed reconnaissance mission over hostile territory defended by extensive networks of automatic weapons and aircraft positions. Despite darkness and hazardous mountainous terrain, Lieutenant Moe led his flight with extraordinary skill and precision to two separate military storage areas, both surrounded by multiple gun positions. Undaunted by heavy anti-aircraft fire bursting around his aircraft, Lieutenant Moe successfully completed his mission, thus denying the hostile forces military supplies essential to their efforts. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Moe reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
August 2, 1992 – October 31, 1995
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 Thomas Nelson Moe, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 225, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, from 2 August 1992 to 31 October 1995. During this period, his exceptional guidance and leadership orchestrated a superb cadet-oriented training program. Through strength of personality and dynamism he inspired cadre and cadets to achieve high goals. Colonel Moe’s guiding hand and inspiration were key to many of the detachment cadets being recognized as top performers. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Moe 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 16, 1968 – March 14, 1973
Captain Thomas Nelson Moe, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 16, 1968 until his release on March 14, 1973.