Navy Federal Credit Union

Richard Tangeman was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on May 5, 1968 and was held until his release on March 14, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    June 1985 – July 1988

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Richard George Tangeman, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Principal Assistant for Financial Matters to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) (Naval Warfare) from June 1985 to July 1988. Captain Tangeman’s superb management of all fiscal resources in support of Naval Warfare programs assured optimum results in the constrained fiscal environment. His consummate knowledge of the Planning, Programming, and Budgeting Systems process and rigorous attention to every detail, contributed markedly to the significant advances in warfare analysis and to a cross warfare area fiscal trade-offs achieved in the past year. Additionally, he personally developed and executed the concept and all associated actions required in the divestiture of sponsorship responsibilities for DCNO (Naval Warfare) during the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Headquarters Review. Captain Tangeman’s superb plan and meticulous oversight produced significant improvements in organizational efficiency and analysis objectivity. By his rigorous attention to detail, exceptional performance, and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Tangeman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Richard George Tangeman, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Captain Tangeman culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Defense Superior Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Captain Richard George Tangeman, United States Navy, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Tangeman reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.

  • Defense Superior Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    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 Captain Richard George Tangeman, United States Navy, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Tangeman reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    May 1968 – March 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Richard George Tangeman, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1968 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he served as an educator to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Tangeman is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 1970 – October 1971

    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 Lieutenant Commander Richard George Tangeman, United States Navy, for meritorious achievement as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 1970 to October 1971. 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 Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    May 1968

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Richard George Tangeman, United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in May 1968. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    May 5, 1968 – March 14, 1973

    Lieutenant Commander Richard George Tangeman, United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 5, 1968 until his release on March 14, 1973.