The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Charles Peter Zuhoski, United States Navy, 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 July 1967 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. Further, 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 as a member of the entertainment group. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Zuhoski is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Charles Peter Zuhoski, United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in July 1967. 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 Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Zuhoski is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Bronze Star Medal
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 Charles Peter Zuhoski, 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 Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Zuhoski is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderAction Date:
November 1982 – November 1985
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Superior Service Medal to Commander Charles Peter Zuhoski, United States Navy, for exceptionally superior service from November 1982 through November 1985, while assigned in positions of increasing responsibility as a staff action officer, analyst, and briefer and simultaneously serving as a Branch Chief in the Joint Force Allocation and Analysis Division, Joint Analysis Directorate, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the National Command Authority. His brilliant analytical abilities, outstanding leadership and dynamic personality were key ingredients in the successful management and flawless execution of studies which addressed complex issues in the development of joint force structure and national strategy. He was the JCS lead analyst to the study to measure improvements in the capability of United States forces and was instrumental in defining the principal approaches selected by the Chairman and the Secretary of Defense for development and submission to the Congress and the President. His achievements in building a new analytic foundation for the Joint Chiefs’ participation in the budget process constitute an individual initiative and continuing achievement of major proportions. The distinctive accomplishments of Commander Zuhoski culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country, and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Department of Defense.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 31, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Charles Peter Zuhoski, United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 31, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.