The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Joseph Francis Shanahan (AFSN: FR-17478814), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 3330th Technical Training Wing, and Vice Center Commander, Chanute Technical Training Center, Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff/Technical Training, Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, from 1 June 1981 to 5 January 1987. In these key positions, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and tireless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Shanahan resulted in the refinement, restructuring, and expansion of Air Training Command’s role in support of Air Force training needs. He was instrumental in raising the standards and the quality of the Technical Training school graduates. He initiated procedures to get modern training equipment; revised curriculum and training programs, instituted quality enhancement procedures and guided numerous programs which have measurably improved Air Force technical training, and thereby combat readiness. Colonel Shanahan’s initiatives will have far-reaching, positive effects for many years to come. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Shanahan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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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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Silver Star
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Joseph Francis Shanahan, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Shanahan reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 15, 1968 – March 14, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Francis Shanahan (AFSN: FR-17478814), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 15, 1968 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 15, 1977 – May 23, 1981
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 Joseph Francis Shanahan (AFSN: FR-17478814), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief, Training Evaluation Division, 3400th Technical Training Wing; Director of Personnel, 3415th Air Base Group; Deputy Base Commander, 3415th Air Base Group, Lowry Technical Training Center, Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, from 15 June 1977 to 23 May 1981. In these important assignments, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and exceptional foresight consistently demonstrated by Colonel Shanahan resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the entire Lowry Technical Training Center mission and to major improvements in the welfare and quality of life of the entire base community. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Shanahan 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:
August 1968 to January 1973
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Francis Shanahan (AFSN: FR-17478814), 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 1968 to January 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 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:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 26, 1968 – October 3, 1971
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 Joseph Francis Shanahan (AFSN: FR-17478814), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 26 December 1968 to 3 October 1971. 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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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 Captain Joseph Francis Shanahan (AFSN: FR-17478814), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C navigator over North Vietnam on 11 August 1968. On that date, Captain Shanahan’s skill and persistence were paramount in obtaining the assigned military objective despite poor weather conditions in the target area. To successfully accomplish the objective, this aviator subjected himself to continuous deadly anti-aircraft, missile, and MiG threats through the most heavily defended area of North Vietnam. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Shanahan reflect 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 21 – December 26, 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 the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Francis Shanahan (AFSN: FR-17478814), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 21 November 1968 to 26 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. Lieutenant Colonel Shanahan 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.