Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Youl
Arcuri
POW (RVN)
August 7, 1947

–

William Arcuri graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1970. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on December 20, 1972 and was held until his release on February 12, 1973. He retired in 1976 as a U.S. Army Captain.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 20, 1972 – February 12, 1973

    First Lieutenant William Youl Arcuri (AFSN: 0-1764469), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 20, 1972 until his release on February 12, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    (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 First Lieutenant William Youl Arcuri (AFSN: 0-1764469), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    December 20, 1972

    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 First Lieutenant William Youl Arcuri (AFSN: 0-1764469), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a B-52 Co-pilot near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 20 December 1972. On that date, while engaged in one of the largest conventional bombing raids ever amassed in the recent history of aerial warfare, Lieutenant Arcuri was forced to bail out over hostile territory due to significant battle damage to his aircraft as the result of extremely heavy hostile fire. Lieutenant Arcuri and his crew were in quest of massed supplies, communications equipment, and transportation lines in order to eliminate the aggressor’s capacity to initiate an offensive, and, despite receiving heavy battle damage and incurring grave personal danger, Lieutenant Arcuri and his crew were able to destroy the target before being forced to abandon their aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Arcuri reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.