Navy Federal Credit Union

Michael Kerr served as an Enlisted Marine before subsequently joining the U.S. Air Force and obtaining a commission. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on January 16, 1967 and was held until his release on March 4, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 16, 1967 – March 4, 1973

    Captain Michael Scott Kerr, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 16, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 1967 – March 1967

    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 Michael Scott Kerr, United States Air Force, for meritorious achievement as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 1967 to March 1967. With complete disregard for his own safety and personal welfare in a period of severe enemy harassment, he voluntarily took complete care of a seriously wounded fellow prisoner who was not receiving any treatment from the North Vietnamese. By his courageous actions and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 1969 – September 1970

    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 Captain Michael Scott Kerr, 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 July 1969 to September 1970. 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1967 – January 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 Michael Scott Kerr, 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 January 1967 to January 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    January 12, 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 to First Lieutenant Michael Scott Kerr, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Pilot in Southeast Asia on 12 January 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Kerr attempted to contact a Forward Air Controller in an area not far from his assigned targets. After successfully contacting the Forward Air Controller, Lieutenant Kerr learned that there were several targets requiring immediate photographing. During his search, Lieutenant Kerr successfully located an underwater, improved ford. This was a hidden river crossing being successfully used by the hostile forces. The pictures of this ford taken by Lieutenant Kerr were of excellent quality and were of great value in the strike force which was later sent to destroy this river crossing. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Kerr reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.