The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Clarence Ronald Polfer (NSN: 0-559159), United States Navy, for meritorious service while serving as Executive Officer of Reconnaissance Attack Squadron SEVEN (RVAH-7), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), from January to May 1972 during combat operations. Commander Polfer’s superb leadership by example and extensive operational experience were essential factors responsible for Reconnaissance Attack Squadron SEVEN’s unparalleled readiness posture. His extensive knowledge, personal guidance and management procedures, aggressive implementation of new tactics and unsurpassed professionalism resulted in an unequaled level of combat effectiveness. Commander Polfer’s inspirational leadership, his sincere interest in his personnel, unequaled professionalism and total devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 7 (VA(R)-7)Division:
U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)Action Date:
April 20, 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Clarence Ronald Polfer (NSN: 0-559159), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of an aircraft while attached to Reconnaissance Attack Squadron SEVEN (VA(R)-7), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63). On 20 April 1972, despite intense anti-aircraft fire and airborne surface-to-air missiles, Commander Polfer acquired bomb damage assessment photographs of an enemy thermal power plant and coastal transshipment point in addition to covering three hundred square miles of urgently required coastal areas. Through Commander Polfer’s imaginative and resourceful mission planning and thorough knowledge of equipment capabilities, the outstanding imagery obtained allowed detailed analysis of assigned strike targets, enemy lines of supply and communications with associated rail and harbor facilities. Commander Polfer’s professional performance, outstanding airmanship and exemplary flight planning reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1972 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Clarence Ronald Polfer (NSN: 0-559159), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1972 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Under constant harassment from their captors, and due to the frustrations of the prisoners during their long internment, many difficult situations arose, requiring perseverance, endurance and ingenuity. Using his extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and sound judgment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 7 (VA(R)-7)Division:
U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)Action Date:
April 7, 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Clarence Ronald Polfer (NSN: 0-559159), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of an aircraft while attached to Reconnaissance Attack Squadron SEVEN (VA(R)-7), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63). On 7 April 1972, Commander Polfer executed a highly dangerous reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam to obtain urgently needed photographic coverage of key enemy logistics areas. Despite intense enemy opposition in the form of automatic weapons, anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missile threat, Commander Polfer conducted two separate reconnaissance runs to cover strike targets and obtain additional photographic intelligence. The superior quality imagery obtained yielded extremely valuable bomb damage assessment and substantiated the movement of men and materiel into the Republic of Vietnam. Commander Polfer’s superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Clarence Ronald Polfer (NSN: 0-559159), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in May 1972. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, 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.]
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 7, 1972 – March 28, 1973
Commander Clarence Ronald Polfer (NSN: 0-559159), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 7, 1972 until his release on March 28, 1973.