Navy Federal Credit Union

Russell Temperley was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 27, 1967, and was held until his release on March 14, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    August 4, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-02073 (November 23, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Russell Edwin Temperley (AFSN FR-59025), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 4 August 1967. On that date, Captain Temperley flew over some of the most dangerous territory in North Vietnam en route to attack hostile anti-aircraft sites. With unhesitating determination he flew through withering anti-aircraft fire to destroy his assigned site. His achievement enabled later flights to bomb this strategic area exposed to decreased hostile fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Temperley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 27, 1967 – March 14, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Major Russell Edwin Temperley (AFSN: FR-59025), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 27 October 1967 to 14 March 1973. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 27, 1967 – March 14, 1973

    Major Russell Edwin Temperley (AFSN FR-59025), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 27, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    388th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    October 3, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2191 (December 7, 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 Captain Russell Edwin Temperley (AFSN: FR-59025), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force while serving with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 3 October 1967. On that date, Captain Temperley was a member of a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs assigned to attack a target deep in hostile territory. When the lead aircraft in his flight was shot down he circled the area, giving cover for his downed comrade. During the rescue operation he braved four separate attacks by surface-to-air missiles, heavy anti-aircraft fire, and harassing hostile aircraft to remain in the area as cover. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Temperley has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    August 21, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. 1989 (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 Captain Russell Edwin Temperley (AFSN FR-59025), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 21 August 1967. On that date, Captain Temperley flew through a devastating curtain of hostile anti-aircraft and missiles to drop his bombs on a high priority military target in North Vietnam. The resulting destruction dealt a severe blow to one of North Vietnam’s most important supply routes. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Temperley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 30, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2191 (December 7, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Russell Edwin Temperley (AFSN FR-59025), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 30 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. Lieutenant Colonel Temperley 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    August 2, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. 2336 (1967)

    (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 Russell Edwin Temperley (AFSN: FR-59025), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia on 2 August 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Russell Edwin Temperley (AFSN FR-59025), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 25 October 1967. On that date, Captain Temperley placed all of his ordnance precisely on his assigned target despite the challenges of MiG’s, surface-to-air missiles, and intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. Strikes flown on this day resulted in the closing of North Vietnam’s largest MiG base, and the destruction of a sizeable portion of the MiG fleet. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Temperley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    August 3, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-02073 (November 23, 1967)

    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 Captain Russell Edwin Temperley (AFSN FR-59025), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 3 August 1967. On that date, Captain Temperley was assigned to seek and destroy active surface-to-air missile sites in a primary target area. Despite surface-to-air missiles, barrages of tracking anti-aircraft fire, Captain Temperley located and completely destroyed one active surface-to-air missile complex and damaged a second. His aggressive flying actively assisted the main strike force in a devastating raid on their assigned target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Temperley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 1967 – October 1970

    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 Russell Edwin Temperley (AFSN FR-59025), 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 October 1970. 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.