Navy Federal Credit Union

William Byrns was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on May 23, 1972 and was held until his release on March 28, 1973. He retired in 1997 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    May 10, 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 to Captain William Glen Byrns, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over Hanoi, North Vietnam on 10 May 1972. On that date, despite barrage fire of all calibers of anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles that exploded within the flight, and numerous hostile MiG aircraft attacking throughout the area, Captain Byrns, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, continued steadfastly in his ordnance deliveries to provide an essential protective shield for a following strike force targeted against the vital Paul Doumer Bridge. As a result of his heroic efforts in providing this necessary protection, the strike flights that he preceded were able to successfully interdict the rail and highway connections of the Paul Doumer Bridge, effectively halting the flow of large quantities of vital supplies and ammunition destined for use by the North Vietnamese invaders across the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of Vietnam. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Byrns reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 William Glen Byrns, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Byrns and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    April 1, 1972

    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 William Glen Byrns, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 1 April 1972. On that date, despite adverse weather conditions, darkness, and mountainous terrain, Captain Byrns, flying as a low level, fast moving Owl Forward Air Controller, successfully identified and controlled the ordnance deliveries of friendly fighters against numerous hostile guns and trucks carrying supplies and ammunition vital to unfriendly forces operating in Southeast Asia. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Byrns continued to flare the area, despite the constant threat of hostile radar guided anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles, until the hostile guns were silenced, and the trucks and supplies were completely destroyed. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Byrns reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-4137 (September 17, 1970

    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 William Glen Byrns, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a F-4E Pilot over Southeast Asia on 16 April 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Byrns flew in a flight of four F-4E fighter aircraft against hostile storage depots and a gun emplacement. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and despite intense and heavy opposing ground fire, he made multiple attacking passes and destroyed his targets hampering logistical support efforts by the hostile forces in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Byrns reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    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 First Lieutenant William Glen Byrns, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Pilot over Southeast Asia on 27 May 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Byrns led a flight of two F-4E Phantoms against a hostile supply, storage, and bivouac area in one of the most heavily defended regions of Southeast Asia. Despite accurate and intense ground fire and hazardous weather conditions, Lieutenant Byrns attacked, destroyed the supply area, anti-aircraft position, caused numerous secondary explosions, and severely hampered the logistical capability of the opposing force. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Byrns reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    April 29, 1972

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William Glen Byrns, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 29 April 1972. On that date, Captain Byrns displayed exceptional airmanship and courage while on a night strike against vital hostile supply, storage, and communications networks in North Vietnam. Despite surface-to-air missile defenses, radar controlled heavy caliber anti-aircraft artillery, and the threat of numerous hostile interceptor aircraft, he delivered his ordnance on target with the extreme precision and accurate timing required to achieve the highest degree of success and safety. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Byrns reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    January 25, 1970

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-2706 (June 16, 1970

    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 Glen Byrns, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Pilot in Southeast Asia on 25 January 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Byrns during this five hour night strike mission, while providing flak suppression for a friendly aircraft working in a high threat area, successfully attacked and destroyed two anti-aircraft gun positions despite extremely intense barrage fire from the opposing force. Through his own initiative Lieutenant Byrns then requested and received an additional target, which he also successfully attacked, destroying two trucks and interdicting a supply route vital to the opposing forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Byrns reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    May 23, 1972 – March 28, 1973

    Captain William G. Byrns, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 23, 1972 until his release on March 28, 1973.