Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    307th Bombardment Wing

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Korea)

    Action Date:

    October 18, 1952 – September 1, 1953

    NARA Database: Repatriated Korean Conflict Prisoners of War, 7/5/1950 – 10/6/1954

    Major Gabriel Peter Bartholomew (AFSN: 0-22659), United States Air Force, was captured by communist forces after he was shot down over North Korea on 18 October 1952, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on 1 September 1953, during Operation Big Switch at the end of the war.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Gabriel Peter Bartholomew (AFSN: 0-22659), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain]

    Batallion:

    16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    307th Bombardment Wing

    Action Date:

    October 18, 1952

    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 28 (May 14, 1959)

    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 Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain] Gabriel Peter Bartholomew (AFSN: 0-22659), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 18 October 1952 i9n Korea. On that date, as flight leader of four F-86 type aircraft, Colonel Bartholomew led an attack on sixteen enemy MiG-15s, and although under constant enemy fire, inflicted heavy damage to the lead aircraft prior to being forced to break off his attack by four other MiG-15s. On the same day, Colonel Bartholomew flew another intercept mission involving twelve MiG-15 aircraft. Although greatly outnumbered, he relentlessly pressed his attack, forcing the enemy aircraft to withdraw. The superior leadership and airmanship displayed by Colonel Bartholomew reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.