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 Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 12 August 1967. On that date, while flying his F-105 Thunderchief in an attack on a vital military target one of his bombs failed to release. Colonel Kirk, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, and despite intense anti-aircraft fire, hostile interceptors, Surface-to-Air missiles and extremely poor weather conditions maneuvered is aircraft outside the densely populated area near the target prior to using the emergency method to release the bomb. His aerial skill, regard for safety of non-combatant civilians near the target area, extraordinary courage and aggressiveness under these perilous circumstances, resulted in exceptional mission accomplishment and averted needless loss of life. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Kirk has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
October 25, 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action over North Vietnam, on 25 October 1967. On that date, while flying as Force Commander and leading twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs, Colonel Kirk successfully struck a high priority military target. Colonel Kirk released his ordnance exactly on the target and as he began his pull off he was informed that his wingman had taken a direct hit. Colonel Kirk courageously slowed his own aircraft and maneuvered through the hostile area to assist his stricken fellow pilot; however, after observing his wingman’s successful ejection from the torching aircraft and knowing rescue was impossible, he rapidly rejoined his flight and returned to home base. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Kirk has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
October 28, 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 Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 28 October 1967. On that date, Colonel Kirk planned and led a 24-aircraft strike force against an important and heavily defended railroad and highway bridge near Hanoi. Despite seven Surface-to-Air missiles being fired at him and extremely poor visibility, Colonel Kirk, with undaunted determination, indomitable courage, and professional skill, led his force to a precise ordnance deliver point, placing his own bombs directly on the target. During recovery from the bomb run, his aircraft sustained a direct hit from the extremely intense anti-aircraft fire. He courageously flew his burning aircraft until it became completely uncontrollable and he was forced to eject over hostile territory. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Lieutenant Colonel Kirk reflected the highest 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 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), 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, Colonel Kirk while evading hostile MiG aircraft and surface-to-air missiles, courageously made four consecutive low level strafing passes against a well camouflaged military target. The bold determination and exceptional flying abilities of Colonel Kirk aided immeasurably in destroying six helicopters and damaging two others. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kirk reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1967 – March 1973
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 Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, 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 October 1967 to March 1973. 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2073 (November 23, 1967)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 Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 3 August 1967. Colonel Kirk, by his thorough knowledge of combat tactics, superior bombing skill, and despite formidable hostile defenses, contributed directly and significantly to the disruption of rail traffic over an important rail link in North Vietnam. Colonel Kirk flew through inclement weather, surface-to-air missiles, and anti-aircraft fire, to successfully deliver his ordnance on the assigned target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kirk reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
August 1, 1973 – May 24, 1977
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Assistant Director of Operations, Director of Operations, Commander, 29th Flying Training Wing, Craig Air Force Base, Alabama, and as Vice Commander, Lowry Technical Training Center, Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, from 1 August 1973 to 24 May 1977. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Colonel Kirk were instrumental factors in the resolution of many complex problems of major importance to the Air Force. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Kirk reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 28 – November 5, 1967
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-745 (August 5, 1979)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 Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 28 October 1967 to 5 November 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 Kirk 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.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 28, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 28, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
357th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 10, 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 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action over North Vietnam, on 10 August 1967. On that date, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he attacked and destroyed an important military target in North Vietnam despite intense anti-aircraft fire, hostile aircraft fighters, Surface-to-Air missiles, and the fact that his aircraft had been hit by an 85-millimeter shell prior to commencing his bombing pass. His extraordinary courage and aggressiveness under these perilous circumstances resulted in exceptional mission accomplishment. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Kirk has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1969 – December 1970
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 Colonel Thomas Henry Kirk, Jr. (AFSN: 0-20794A), 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 October 1969 to December 1970. 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.