Martin Neuens graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1964. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on August 12, 1966, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973. He retired in 1990 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Martin
James
Neuens
POW (RVN)
May 31, 1942
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Awards Received
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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
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 15, 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 Captain Martin James Neuens (AFSN: 0-2613k), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 15 August 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. Captain Neuens 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 14, 1985 – July 31, 1990
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 Martin James Neuens (AFSN: 0-2613k), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 3360 Technical Training Group, Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, and as Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 155, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, from 14 July 1985 to 31 July 1990. In these important assignments, the tenacity, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Neuens resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of these critical training and commissioning programs. Through his inspirational leadership, Colonel Neuens led the 3360 Technical Training Group to the Air Training Command Best Education and Training Unit Award for 1987 and the highest Inspector General rating given a training group in Chanute Air Force Base history. In addition, his aggressive recruiting program at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 155 increased contract cadet enrollment by over 50 percent and Professional Officer Course selections by one-third. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Neuens 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:
August 1966 – August 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 Captain Martin James Neuens (AFSN: 0-2613k), 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 August 1966 to August 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 12, 1966 – March 4, 1973
Captain Martin James Neuens (AFSN: 0-2613k), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 12, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1967 – October 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 Captain Martin James Neuens (AFSN: 0-2613k), 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 October 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
333d Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 8, 1966
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 First Lieutenant Martin James Neuens (AFSN: 0-2613k), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot of the 333d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 8 August 1966. On that date, Lieutenant Neuens flew in a flight of four F-105’s to develop new tactics in deploying ordnance under extremely poor weather conditions in a heavily defended area. After completing the mission, Lieutenant Neuens returned to North Vietnam three additional times to fly rescue cover for a downed pilot and was extremely instrumental in his rescue. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Neuens reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
333d Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 12, 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 First Lieutenant Martin James Neuens (AFSN: 0-2613k), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot of the 333d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 12 August 1966. On that date, Lieutenant Neuens flew his F-105 on a strike mission in Southeast Asia. Although the flight came under intense anti-aircraft fire approaching the target, Lieutenant Neuens maintained strict wingman discipline, protecting his leader and the others of the flight. The coolness under fire and determination of Lieutenant Neuens were major factors in the successful attack of the target and his comrades returning to home base. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Neuens reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.