Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Kenneth
Adrian
Simonet
POW (RVN)
November 3, 1924

–

March 22, 2014

Cemetery:

Arlington Memorial Park

Kenneth Simonet served with the 1st Marine Raider Battalion and the 4th Marine Regiment in the Pacific during World War II. He left the Marine Corps in February 1946 and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving until June 1948. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1952, and was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force. During the Vietnam War he was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on January 18, 1968, and was held until his release on March 14, 1973. He retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel on September 30, 1981.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    June 19, 1975 – June 19, 1978

    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 Adrian Simonet (AFSN: 16242501), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Comptroller, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, from 19 June 1975 to 19 June 1978. During this period, Colonel Simonet’s outstanding professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty resulted in significant contributions that greatly enhanced the effectiveness and success of the Comptroller, the Air Logistics Center, and the Air Force Logistics Command. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Simonet reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    December 17, 1967

    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 Major Kenneth Adrian Simonet (AFSN: 16242501), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 17 December 1967. On that date, Major Simonet led a seeding mission at a vital traffic crossing segment of the Song Cau River at Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam. During ingress to the target, the flight was attacked from the rear by hostile aircraft. They successfully drove them off in every instance while maneuvering within a heavy ground fire and surface-to-air missile environment. As a result of Major Simonet’s outstanding leadership, the flight was able to continue the mission and deliver their ordnance with devastating results. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Simonet reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    October 24, 1967
    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1772 (June 17, 1968

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Kenneth Adrian Simonet (AFSN: 16242501), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 24 October 1967. On that date, while skillfully delivering his ordnance on the target, Major Simonet evaded a hostile attack from surface-to-air missiles. Although the target was heavily defended with numerous anti-aircraft artillery fire emplacements, and partially obscured by a low hanging cloud deck, Major Simonet delivered his ordnance with extreme accuracy and immediately rejoined his flight so as to offer greater protection against hostile tactical aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Simonet reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 18, 1968 – March 14, 1973

    Colonel Kenneth Adrian Simonet (AFSN: 16242501), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 18, 1968 until his release on March 14, 1973.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Kenneth Adrian Simonet (AFSN: 16242501), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during January 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. Colonel Simonet 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

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1968 – October 1972

    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 Colonel Kenneth Adrian Simonet (AFSN: 16242501), 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 January 1968 to October 1972. 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.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1968 – December 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 Colonel Kenneth Adrian Simonet (AFSN: 16242501), 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 January 1968 to 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 upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    435th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    January 18, 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    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 Major Kenneth Adrian Simonet (AFSN: 16242501), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4D Commander of the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, SEVENTH Air Force, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 18 January 1968. On that date, Major Simonet delivered his ordnance on an important strategic target in the face of intense anti-aircraft artillery fire, tracking surface-to-air missiles, and attacking hostile aircraft. With exceptional boldness and courage, Major Simonet then engaged the hostile aircraft in close air to air combat. As a direct result of Major Simonet’s efforts, his target was heavily damaged, and one hostile aircraft was shot down. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Simonet has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.