The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Eugene Barker McDaniel (NSN: 0-1319/4751406), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 10 April 1967, as a Pilot flying jet aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE, embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-64), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. Commander McDaniel led a predawn air strike against a vital and heavily defended steel mill in the heart of North Vietnam. By piloting his aircraft at dangerously low altitude in instrumental flight conditions, over mountainous terrain, he successfully evaded enemy defenses until within six miles of the target. Disregarding four surface-to-air missiles fired at his aircraft and numerous anti-aircraft artillery shells bursting around and ahead of him, Commander McDaniel maintained a smooth, level flight path until bomb release, ensuring an optimum bombing solution. Because of his superb flying skill, his bombs found their mark and inflicted heavy damage upon the target. Commander McDaniel’s actions contributed materially to the disruption of enemy war materials production and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Eugene Barker McDaniel (NSN: 0-1319/4751406), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of the House of Representatives Office of Legislative Affairs from December 1978 through June 1981. Captain McDaniel’s unique talents, exceptional knowledge of political-military matters, and keen and unusual perceptive insights into the interests and relationships between key members of the Congress provided Navy leadership with sage advice and sound judgment for enacting critical legislation during a period of severe fiscal constraint. His performance in this sensitive and critical position contributed directly and significantly to the success of Navy programs before the Congress, ensuring both readiness and modernization of the Fleet. Captain McDaniel’s outstanding leadership, unerring professionalism, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 14 – 29, 1969
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Eugene Barker McDaniel (NSN: 0-1319/4751406), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism as a Prisoner of War (POW) in North Vietnam from 14 June to 29 June 1969. Due to an unsuccessful escape attempt by two of his fellow prisoners, his captors launched a vicious round of torture to single out the senior POW’s who were to blame for the breakout. During these torture sessions a confession led to exposing him as the communications link between the senior ranking officer of the main prison camp and the adjacent annex detachment. He accepted the responsibility for the escape and fabricated a story of his own planned escape. After interrogation, the enemy severely tortured him in their attempt to obtain information about the organization and policies of the American POW’s in the camp. Under the most adverse of conditions, he heroically resisted these cruelties and never divulged the information demanded by the North Vietnamese. His exemplary courage, maximum resistance, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 19, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Captain Eugene Barker McDaniel (NSN: 0-1319/4751406), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 19, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Eugene Barker McDaniel (NSN: 0-1319/4751406), United States Navy, 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 May 1967 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. During a period in 1971 to 1972, the North Vietnamese attempted to break down the POW organization and destroy internal rank structure. Through his superb leadership in counseling and directing his fellow prisoners he maintained a degree of harmony and unity. Further, serving as Chaplain, he provided spiritual guidance, instilled constructive rehabilitative thinking and conducted religious services for the benefit of his fellow prisoners. Despite the lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and sound judgment reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain McDaniel is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1967 – June 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Eugene Barker McDaniel (NSN: 0-1319/4751406), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1967 to June 1969. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 21 – 25, 1967
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Eugene Barker McDaniel (NSN: 0-1319/4751406), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 21 to 25 May 1967. Captain McDaniel’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Captain McDaniel reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August – October 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Eugene Barker McDaniel (NSN: 0-1319/4751406), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August to October 1969. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1967
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Eugene Barker McDaniel (NSN: 0-1319/4751406), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during September 1967. Captain McDaniel’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Captain McDaniel reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1967 – March 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Eugene Barker McDaniel (NSN: 0-1319/4751406), United States Navy, for meritorious achievement as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1967 to March 1968. With complete disregard for his own safety and personal welfare in a period of severe enemy harassment, he voluntarily took complete care of a seriously wounded fellow prisoner who was not receiving any treatment from the North Vietnamese. By his courageous actions and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]