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 Lieutenant Colonel Cowan Glenn Nix (AFSN: 0-74953), 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 July 1967 to July 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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 20, 1967
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 Lieutenant Colonel Cowan Glenn Nix (AFSN: 0-74953), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 20 November 1967. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1, 1966
Department of the Air Force, Special Order G-808 (August 8, 1974)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 Lieutenant Colonel Cowan Glenn Nix (AFSN: 0-74953), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 1 November 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. Lieutenant Colonel Nix 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1, 1966 – March 4, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Cowan Glenn Nix (AFSN: 0-74953), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
44th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Kadena Air Base, OkinawaAction Date:
May 5, 1966
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order G-174 (June 3, 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 Captain Cowan Glenn Nix (AFSN: 0-74953), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Pilot of the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 5 May 1966. On that date, Captain Nix volunteered to participate in an F-105 strike against a key bridge complex situated on a vital railroad supply line. The hazards of this mission were compounded by multiple anti-aircraft gun positions which had exacted a heavy toll on U.S. Air Force bombers in previous attacks on this same target. Even though visibility was restricted by a dense haze which made navigation hazardous, Captain Nix quickly spotted the target and directed his flight leader to an attack position. Although intense and accurate flak was encountered, Captain Nix was not deterred as he aggressively pressed his attack to a dangerously low altitude and dropped his bombs in the center of the bridge, completely demolishing two spans. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Nix has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
4th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
October 1, 1966
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-954 (November 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 Cowan Glenn Nix (AFSN: 0-74953), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam, on 1 October 1966. On that date, Captain Nix displayed outstanding airmanship by severely damaging several vital lines of communications supplying hostile forces, despite their heavy ground defenses. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Nix reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966 – October 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 Lieutenant Colonel Cowan Glenn Nix (AFSN: 0-74953), 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 October 1966 to October 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.