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 Thomas Mayall, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a B-52 Navigator over North Vietnam on 21 December 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Mayall participated in high-priority bombing missions against vital military targets in heavily-defended areas of North Vietnam. Despite the extreme hazards presented by surface-to-air missiles and hostile interceptors, Lieutenant Mayall displayed extraordinary courage, a remarkable ability to perform under stress, and a willingness to place the mission requirements above his personal safety in order to successfully release his ordnance on the designated targets. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Mayall reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel William Thomas Mayall, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Mayall reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
February 5, 1986 – August 10, 1989
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel William Thomas Mayall, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense while serving as Special Assistant to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, for POW/MIA Affairs from 5 February 1986 to 10 August 1989. While serving in this highly visible, extraordinarily demanding and politically sensitive position, Colonel Mayall’s dedicated and professional efforts contributed to achieving more progress toward resolving POW/MIA issues than in the previous years since the United States withdrew from Vietnam. He was the full time clear and unambiguous voice of reason in dealing with not only the day-to-day issues, but also the frequent events calling for immediate, clear thinking and sound counsel. Colonel Mayall consistently demonstrated mature judgment and a broad understanding of the varied initiatives within and outside the government and was able to tie together these often disparate activities into a unified and practicable policy. He routinely and flawlessly represented to Presidential Emissary to Hanoi and the Chiefs of the Service Staffs in the Interagency for a. In short the U.S. efforts toward bringing many of the POW/MIA issues to closure have met with great success due principally to the immense energy and talent Colonel Bill Mayall has brought to his responsibilities. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Mayall reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Department of Defense.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantDivision:
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 First Lieutenant William Thomas Mayall, 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.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 22, 1972 – March 29, 1973
First Lieutenant William Thomas Mayall, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 22, 1972 until his release on March 29, 1973.