The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Airman Second Class Roderick George Conn (AFSN: 12346163), United States Air Force, for meritorious service to the United States from 25 January 1952 to 30 August 1953 while a prisoner of war in North Korea. Although subject to extreme privation, meager rations, forced marches, incessant interrogations, brutal beatings, sadistic torture, long periods of solitary confinement and threatened execution, Sergeant Conn, by his indomitable courage and resolute resistance completely defeated any attempt of the North Koreans and Chinese Communists to obtain security information they desired. His exemplary conduct and unequivocal conviction that the forces of freedom would ultimately prevail over an enemy ruthlessly avowed to destroy the independence of mankind, encouraged and inspired other prisoners to resist the insidious demands of their captors. By his outstanding leadership, heroic self-sacrifice and ceaseless opposition to the North Koreans and Chinese Communists, Sergeant Conn has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.