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 with Combat “V” to Major Dwight Everett Sullivan (AFSN: FV-3025678/AF-17333704), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 7 October 1967. On that date, Major Sullivan was a member of a twenty aircraft strike force, ordered to strike a high priority military target in North Vietnam. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire and numerous surface-to-air missiles, Major Sullivan dropped his ordnance with unerring accuracy which resulted in numerous rail cuts. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Sullivan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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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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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 18 – 23, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2073 (November 23, 1967)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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Dwight Everett Sullivan (AFSN: FV-3025678/AF-17333704), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 18 October to 23 October 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. Major Sullivan 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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
October 3, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2073 (November 23, 1967)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 Major Dwight Everett Sullivan (AFSN: FV-3025678/AF-17333704), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Mission Commander and Pilot of an aircraft of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 3 October 1967. On that date, Major Sullivan led the force of twenty aircraft against the heavily defended military target. Despite the heavy anti-aircraft fire and the ensuing attack by numerous surface-to-air missiles, Major Sullivan maintained the force’s composure and led the force in on the target, and delivered his ordnance with devastating accuracy causing severe damage to the target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Sullivan has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1970 – October 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 Colonel Dwight Everett Sullivan (AFSN: FV-3025678/AF-17333704), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of war in North Vietnam from November 1970 to October 1971. 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 17, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Colonel Dwight Everett Sullivan (AFSN: FV-3025678/AF-17333704), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 17, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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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 with Combat “V” to Major Dwight Everett Sullivan (AFSN: FV-3025678/AF-17333704), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 11 August 1967. On that date, Major Sullivan was a member of a flight of F-105’s which was directed to attack a high priority military target in North Vietnam. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Sullivan courageously pressed the attack through intense anti-aircraft fire and numerous missiles, subsequently destroying the target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Sullivan reflect 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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Dwight Everett Sullivan (AFSN: FV-3025678/AF-17333704), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 6 July 1967. On that date, Major Sullivan was in a flight assigned to attack a high priority military target in North Vietnam. Flying through withering anti-aircraft fire he delivered his bombs precisely on target and caused heavy damage throughout the area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Sullivan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1967 – February 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 Dwight Everett Sullivan (AFSN: FV-3025678/AF-17333704), 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 October 1967 to February 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1968 – October 1971
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 Colonel Dwight Everett Sullivan (AFSN: FV-3025678/AF-17333704), 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 May 1978 to October 1971. 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.