Michael O’Connor was interned as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia after he was shot down over South Vietnam on February 4, 1968, and was held until his release on March 5, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Michael
Francis
O’Connor
POW (RVN)
June 9, 1947
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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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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Chief Warrant OfficerDivision:
Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)Action Date:
February 4, 1968 – March 5, 1973
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 Chief Warrant Officer Michael Francis O’Connor, United States Army, for meritorious achievement in action against an armed enemy of the United States while detained as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia during the period 4 February 1968 to 5 March 1973. 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 Southeast Asia demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, this American continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Chief Warrant OfficerDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1972
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 56 (December 31, 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 the Silver Star to Chief Warrant Officer Michael Francis O’Connor, United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam, during February 1972. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions and propaganda materials. Chief Warrant Officer O’Connor resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which demonstrated great devotion to duty and country in accord with the finest traditions of the military services.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Chief Warrant OfficerDivision:
Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)Action Date:
February 4, 1968 – March 5, 1973
Chief Warrant Officer Michael Francis O’Connor, United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from February 4, 1968 until his release on March 5, 1973.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Chief Warrant OfficerBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
20th Artillery RegimentDivision:
1st Cavalry DivisionAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Chief Warrant Officer Michael Francis O’Connor, United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a UH-1 Huey pilot with Battery C, 2d Battalion, 20th Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968. His outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Chief Warrant OfficerBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
20th Artillery RegimentDivision:
1st Cavalry DivisionAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Chief Warrant Officer Michael Francis O’Connor, United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a UH-1 Huey pilot with Battery C, 2d Battalion, 20th Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968. His outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.