Captain Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force (Reserve), was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 12, 1967 until his death in captivity in May 1968.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Department of the Air Force, Special Order G-44 (April 11, 1963)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 Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight of national and international significance from 23 to 29 October 1962. During this period, the exemplary courage and professional competence exhibited by Captain Atterberry, under hazardous flight conditions, demonstrated his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Atterberry reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
67th Tactical Reconnaissance WingAction Date:
August 12, 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 Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force (Reserve), for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam on 12 August 1967. On that date, Captain Atterberry piloted an RF-4C reconnaissance aircraft of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, to obtain photographic coverage of the priority one target near Gia Lam North Vietnam, deep within hostile territory. With complete disregard for his safety, Captain Atterberry would have had to pilot his aircraft through intense anti-aircraft fire and missile attack, to obtain the desired photographic reconnaissance coverage. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Atterberry has reflected 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 with Combat “V” to Captain Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 2 August 1967. On that date, Captain Atterberry braved intense anti-aircraft fire and MiG attack to obtain outstanding photographic coverage of all assigned targets plus one hundred and seventeen bonus targets. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Atterberry reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 11 – 14, 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 11 May 1969 to 14 May 1969. On 11 May 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Atterberry escaped from the North Vietnamese prison camp known as “The Zoo” and was recaptured twelve hours later. He was subjected to brutal torture for confessions pertaining to camp leadership, organization and details of his escape plans. He was last seen by other prisoners of war on 14 May 1969, and the North Vietnamese later reported that Lieutenant Colonel Atterberry had died. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower, in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Atterberry reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1967 – May 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force (Reserve), 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 August 1967 to May 1969. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which 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:
August 31, 1967 – October 25, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force (Reserve), for heroism involving voluntary risk of personal safety while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. During the period 31 August 1967 to 25 October 1967, with complete disregard for his own injuries, Colonel Atterberry administered twenty-four hour a day nursing care to a fellow prisoner who was incapacitated due to dislocated and broken limbs and advanced infections. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty in the service of his country, Colonel Atterberry has reflected 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 with Combat “V” to Captain Edwin Lee Atterberry (AFSN: 0-18487925), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 4 August 1967. On that date, Captain Atterberry braved intense anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missiles to obtain one hundred percent photographic coverage of all assigned targets plus one bonus target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Atterberry reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.