Ramon Horinek began flying at age 13, and attended and graduated from Hays Military Academy before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. On October 25, 1967, he was shot down while flying an F-105 with the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on March 14, 1973. He retied as a U.S. Air Force Colonel on February 10, 1983.
Sponsored by:
Ramon
Anton
Horinek
POW (RVN)
December 9, 1932
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-656 (August 20, 1966)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 Captain Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller in Southeast Asia from 13 to 15 March 1966. Although under extremely heavy hostile flak and automatic weapons fire, Captain Horinek continued to perform low level visual reconnaissance from his light, unarmed aircraft and directed over one hundred jet strike sorties against communist mountain top positions. As a direct result of this extraordinary performance, friendly forces were able to capture two strategic mountain peaks. The outstanding aerial skill, professional competence and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Horinek reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1968 – June 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam from May 1968 to June 1969. 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 the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
October 25, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2191 (December 7, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action over North Vietnam, on 25 October 1967. On that date, flying an F-105 Thunderchief, Captain Horinek was assigned to strike a high priority military target. Captain Horinek displayed exceptional courage, fortitude and determination toward mission accomplishment in the face of some of the most formidable defenses ever encountered in aerial combat. After sustaining a devastating direct hit he continued his dive bombing run and placed his ordnance on the target, damaging or destroying two hostile MiG aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Horinek has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 20, 1967 – April 28, 1968
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 Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period 20 December 1967 to 28 April 1968. The North Vietnamese interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted this treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 25, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 25, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainAction Date:
December 30, 1965 – August 1, 1966
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-728 (September 15, 1966)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Captain Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, for meritorious service as Air Operations Officer, Southeast Asia, from 30 December 1965 to 1 August 1966. During this period, while exposed to danger from hostile forces, Captain Horinek consistently demonstrated professional ability, sound judgment, and great enthusiasm in overcoming the many involved problems associated with his duties. His superb performance and signal contributions assisted materially in the success of the United States’ effort in Southeast Asia. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Horinek in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot on a strike over North Vietnam on 9 September 1967. On that date, Captain Horinek, although faced with extreme adverse weather inbound to the target and intense anti-aircraft artillery fire blanketing the target itself, expertly delivered his ordnance directly on the strike area. Evaluation of strike photographs revealed extensive damage to the entire target area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Horinek reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot on a strike over North Vietnam on 7 October 1967. On that date, Captain Horinek was a member of the first flight to ever strike a North Vietnamese helicopter parking area. He made six strafing passes with such accuracy that six helicopters were completely destroyed and two more severely damaged. While making these attacks, he had to evade surface-to-air missiles and MiG-17 aircraft which were defending this area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Horinek reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant Colonel [the Captain]Regiment:
1st Air Commando WingDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
February 16 – 19, 1966
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order GB-135 (April 21, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel [the Captain] Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-1 Airplane of the 1st Air Commando Wing, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Force, in action with friendly forces in Southeast Asia, from 16 February 1966 to 19 February 1966. Captain Horinek successfully directed air strikes which permitted the safe withdrawal of friendly forces and destruction of an evacuated site despite repeated machine gun hits on his light aircraft. While providing support for an attack against a second site his aircraft was again struck by hostile fire. Realizing the importance of his presence, he landed on the site airstrip, knowing that the approaches were dominated by the enemy. On foot, and under constant fire, he directed strikes which dislodged the enemy and permitted resumption of aircraft evacuation from the strip. Throughout the period, alternately in the air, and on the ground, he continued to direct strikes while repeatedly exposed to fierce hostile fire, until the site was successfully evacuated. Captain Horinek’s gallantry and professionalism permitted the safe withdrawal of many friendly troops and prevented the recovery of quantities of munitions and supplies by the enemy. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Horinek has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 25 – 31, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Anton Horinek (AFSN: 0-49644) for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 25 to 31 October 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Horinek resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.