Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Kenneth
Walter
North
POW (RVN)
May 29, 1930

–

September 21, 2010

Kenneth North was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1953 upon graduation from the University of Connecticut. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on August 1, 1966, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973. He retired in 1985 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General

Awards Received

  • Defense Superior Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    May 1981 – July 1982

    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 Kenneth Walter North, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as Executive Officer to the Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command, from May 1981 through July 1982. In this critical and demanding assignment, the leadership, superior initiative, and attention to duty demonstrated by Colonel North resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the mission of the United States European Command in direct support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Free World military forces. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel North reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    April 28, 1968 – January 1, 1969

    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 Kenneth Walter North, United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 28 April 1968 to 1 January 1969. The North Vietnamese 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. Colonel North heroically resisted this 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.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1967 – December 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Walter North, United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam from January 1967 through December 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 the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1966 – March 4, 1973

    Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Walter North, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    May 13 – August 1, 1966

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Walter North, United States Air Force, for meritorious service as Squadron Safety Officer while assigned to the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron from 13 May 1966 to 1 August 1966. During this period, the leadership, exemplary foresight and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Captain North resulted in significantly great contributions to the effectiveness and success of the United States Air Force in the furtherance of United States National Policies in Southeast Asia. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor and devotion to duty displayed by Captain North in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    June 21, 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 Kenneth Walter North, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 21 June 1966. On that date, Captain North flew his aircraft in support of a combat mission on a petroleum storage depot deep in hostile territory. Despite intense hostile ground fire, surface-to-air missile threats, and MiG aircraft over the target, Captain North pressed his attack to score direct hits on the petroleum storage tanks. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain North reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    August 3 – 10, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Walter North, United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 3 August 1966 to 10 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. Lieutenant Colonel North 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    August 5, 1978 – May 15, 1982

    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 Kenneth Walter North, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Vice Commander and as Commander, 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, Torrejon Air Base, Spain, from 5 August 1978 to 15 May 1981. During this period, Colonel North demonstrated extraordinary leadership and professional competence in directing the operational mission and base maintenance and support programs of the wing. His exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty were instrumental in maintaining air combat readiness in the Southern European Region, in meeting all mission requirements, and in motivating assigned personnel to the highest standards of excellence. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel North reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    August 1966 – November 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 Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Walter North, 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 through November 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.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    August 2, 1982 – September 30, 1985

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Kenneth Walter North, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General North distinguished himself as Commander, Twenty-First Air Division/North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Tactical Air Command, Hancock Field, New York, and as Commander, Twenty-Fourth Air Division/North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Tactical Air Command, Griffiss Air Force Base, New York, from 2 August 1982 to 30 September 1985. During this period, General North’s outstanding achievements and his dynamic leadership and initiative resulted in the development of an air defense system specifically tailored to protect the Northeastern United States including the national command Authority in specific and the United States in general. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General North culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.