Donald Spoon graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Class of 1964. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on January 21, 1967, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973. He retired in 1994 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Donald
Ray
Spoon
POW (RVN)
December 22, 1941
–
Awards Received
-
Legion of Merit
-
Legion of Merit
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Legion of Merit
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1967 – March 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 Captain Donald Ray Spoon (AFSN: AF-17480091), 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 1967 to March 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.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 13, 1993 – May 31, 1994
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 Donald Ray Spoon (AFSN: AF-17480091), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Project Reliance Office, Armstrong Laboratory, Human Systems Center Air Force Materiel Command, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, from 13 June 1993 to 31 May 1994. During this period, Colonel Spoon was selected for his one-of-a-kind expertise to establish the Project Reliance Office within the Armstrong Laboratory. This effort was essential to Armstrong Laboratory’s successful interplay in the Tri-service arena, since it is the only Federal Laboratory reporting to all four Department of Defense research and development oversight bodies. He meticulously coordinated all laboratory participation in the Joint Directors of Laboratories; Armed Services Biomedical Research, Evacuation and Management Committee; Training and Personnel System Science and Technology, Evaluation and Management Committee; and the Joint Engineers Committee. The groundwork laid by Colonel Spoon will play a critical role in base realignment and closure decisions. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Spoon culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 21, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Captain Donald Ray Spoon (AFSN: AF-17480091), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 21, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1967 – October 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 Captain Donald Ray Spoon (AFSN: AF-17480091), 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 June 1967 to October 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.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
480th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Da Nang Air Base, South VietnamAction 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 Captain Donald Ray Spoon (AFSN: AF-17480091), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4 Phantom II Pilot of the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action over Southeast Asia in 1966/1967. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 21, 1967
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 Captain Donald Ray Spoon (AFSN: AF-17480091), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 21 July 1967, 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. Captain Spoon 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 ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
January 24, 1984 – June 20, 1989
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 Donald Ray Spoon (AFSN: AF-17480091), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Medical Operations and Deputy Commander for Research, Development and Acquisition, Headquarters, Aerospace Medial Division and as Deputy, Aerospace Medicine and Crew Protection, Headquarters, Human Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, from 24 January 1984 to 20 June 1989. Colonel Spoon was directly responsible for this Division’s technological advances in chemical defense, life support, and medical programs. His exceptional leadership and broad-based expertise led to advanced engineering program development in the areas of spatial disorientation and aircrew high-G force protection — both will save lives. Colonel Spoon played a major role in clearly defining aircrew medical standards and developing casualty generation models that will allow the Air Force to better prepare for its wartime mission. His sophisticated and cardiovascular work has led towards a new and more meaningful fitness test that will be implemented Air Force-wide. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Spoon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.