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 Jack Linwood Van Loan, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Vice Commander and Commander, 507th Tactical Air Control Wing, and as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters Ninth Air Force/United States Central Command Air Forces, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, from 3 July 1978 to 31 October 1984. Colonel Van Loan’s dynamic leadership, superb management, outstanding dedication, and unswerving devotion to duty were key to developing and achieving enhanced performance and improved readiness of tactical air force units to respond to contingencies worldwide. His outstanding accomplishments significantly strengthened the tactical arm of our national defense posture and contributed immeasurably to programs of major importance to NINTH Air Force, the United States Central Command, and the Air Force mission. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Van Loan culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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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
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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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 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Jack Linwood Van Loan, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 20 May 1967. On that date, Major Van Loan was a member of a combat air patrol which observed ten or more unfriendly aircraft attacking the strike force, which the patrol was assigned to protect. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Major Van Loan joined in the attack against the opposing forces and assisted in the destruction of four unfriendly aircraft. This courageous and aggressive attack against superior odds disorganized the opposing force and allowed all friendly forces to safely egress hostile air space. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Van Loan reflect great credit upon himself and 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:
May 1967 – May 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 Jack Linwood Van Loan, 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 May 1967 to May 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.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1972 – January 1973
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 Jack Linwood Van Loan (AFSN: FR-65085), United States Air Force, for outstanding achievement in a position of leadership while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1972 to January 1973. This officer performed duties dealing in highly classified material while under constant surveillance of the enemy. He generated new ideas and improvised new techniques which greatly enhanced covert operations. His outstanding performance and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 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 Lieutenant Colonel Jack Linwood Van Loan, United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during May 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 Van Loan 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 20, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Jack Linwood Van Loan, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 20, 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:
May 1968 – June 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 Lieutenant Colonel Jack Linwood Van Loan (AFSN: FR-65085), 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 1968 to June 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-894 (June 21, 1967)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 Jack Linwood Van Loan, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 11 March 1967. On that date, Major Van Loan led a flight of fighter bombers executed against a major steel mill complex in hostile territory. Despite marginal weather and the devastating fire from the most extensive defense network encountered by friendly aircrew members. Major Van Loan disregarded his own personal safety and pressed the attack which produced major damage to a vital part of the target complex. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Van Loan 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 1967 – June 1969
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 Jack Linwood Van Loan (AFSN: FR-65085), 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 August 1967 to June 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.