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 Thomas Gordon Storey (AFSN: 26935750), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam, during the period from 16 January 1967 to 6 February 1967. Colonel Storey was severely injured when his aircraft was shot down over North Vietnam. After evading capture for five days, he was tracked by a pack of dogs and shot by the enemy in an attempt to prevent him from destroying his survival radios. He was captured and forced to crawl down the mountain on his hands and knees and then to walk fifteen miles to the nearest road. He was repeatedly subjected to mistreatment and torture and denied medical treatment for his injuries. Colonel Storey resisted the enemy’s demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which demonstrated his devotion to duty, and thereby reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 1968
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 Thomas Gordon Storey (AFSN: 26935750), United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of personal safety while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in December 1968. With complete disregard for his own safety and personal welfare in a period of severe enemy harassment, this officer took complete care of a seriously wounded fellow prisoner without assistance from the Vietnamese. By his courageous actions and humanitarian regard for his fellowman in an environment of heavy enemy pressure and brutal treatment, he has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of 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:
January 1967 – May 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 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gordon Storey (AFSN: 26935750), 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 May 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.
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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 Thomas Gordon Storey (AFSN: 26935750), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight over North Vietnam on 15 January 1967. On that date, while piloting an unarmed, unescorted RF-4C reconnaissance aircraft, Captain Storey penetrated an area protected by one of the heaviest concentrations of anti-aircraft weapons in North Vietnam. Despite imminent attack from multiple defensive systems, Captain Storey demonstrated outstanding heroism and exemplary courage in completing his mission. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Storey reflect 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:
August 1968
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 Thomas Gordon Storey (AFSN: 26935750), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during August 1968. 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 16, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gordon Storey (AFSN: 26935750), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 16, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1967 – October 1967
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 Thomas Gordon Storey (AFSN: 26935750), 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 February 1967 to October 1967. 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.