Navy Federal Credit Union

Henry Barrows was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on December 19, 1972 and was held until his release on March 29, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 19, 1972 – March 29, 1973

    Captain Henry Charles Barrows (AFSN: FV-3224164), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 19, 1972 until his release on March 29, 1973.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    346th Bombardment Squadron

    Action Date:

    February 3, 1971

    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 Henry Charles Barrows (AFSN: FV-3224164), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Electronic Warfare Officer in Laos on 3 February 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 24 hostile supply vehicles, and the creation of numerous secondary fires and explosions. Lieutenant Barrows skill in operating the “Black Crow” sensor as an initial acquisition sensor allowed the aircraft’s other sensors to quickly pickup and track the hostile vehicles. His outstanding efforts made a primary contribution to the obvious success of this mission. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Barrows reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    346th Bombardment Squadron

    Action Date:

    February 22, 1971

    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 First Lieutenant Henry Charles Barrows (AFSN: FV-3224164), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Electronic Warfare Officer in Laos on 22 February 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 35 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of 21 secondary fires and the ignition of 15 secondary explosions. His exceptional knowledge and outstanding ability in the use of his highly sophisticated equipment contributed directly toward the success of this devastating attack, which denied the hostile forces badly needed supplies and equipment. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Barrows reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    346th Bombardment Squadron

    Action Date:

    March 25, 1971

    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 Henry Charles Barrows (AFSN: FV-3224164), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Electronic Warfare Officer in Laos on 25 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 37 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of 12 secondary fires and the ignition of 21 secondary explosions. Demonstrating outstanding skill, perception, and composure, he found and tracked these hostile vehicles through dense jungle in spite of 653 rounds of antiaircraft fire hurled at his aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Barrows reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    346th Bombardment Squadron

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1971

    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 Henry Charles Barrows (AFSN: FV-3224164), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Electronic Warfare Officer in Laos on 8 May 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 20 hostile supply vehicles, and the ignition of numerous secondary fires and explosions. Putting aside his concern for personal safety in the face of 321 rounds of hostile antiaircraft fire, he succeeded in destroying large amounts of supplies and munitions destined for use against friendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Barrows reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    346th Bombardment Squadron

    Action Date:

    December 19, 1972

    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 Henry Charles Barrows (AFSN: FV-3224164), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a B-52 Electronic Warfare Officer of the 346th Bombardment Squadron, in action against the enemy in Southeast Asia on 19 December 1972. On that date, Captain Barrows participated in a high priority bombing mission against a vital military target in a heavily defended area of North Vietnam. Despite the intensity of the hostile reactions and the great threat posed by them, Captain Barrows displayed extraordinary courage, a remarkable ability to perform under severe stress, and a willingness to place the mission requirements above his own safety as he successfully countered and neutralized those threats, thereby enabling his crew to release their ordnance on the designated target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Barrows reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 1972 – March 1973

    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 Captain Henry Charles Barrows (AFSN: FV-3224164), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 1972 to 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.

  • Defense Superior Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Henry Charles Barrows, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Barrows reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.