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 Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-01909611), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 11 March 1967. On that date, Colonel Larson, while leading the largest single force of F-105’s ever assembled, dealt severe damage to the largest steel plant in North Vietnam. He led his large force through marginal weather conditions and through the most dense hostile fire ever encountered by pilots of this force. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Larson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-1909611), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 5, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Colonel Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-01909611), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 5, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 5, 1967 – March 4, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-1909611), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and 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:
May 5, 1967 – March 4, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Colonel Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-1909611), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 5 May 1967 to 4 March 1973. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-1909611), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 388th Combat Support Group in Southeast Asia in 1966/1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
388th Combat Support GroupAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 to Lieutenant Colonel Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-1909611), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 388th Combat Support Group in Southeast Asia in 1966/1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
388th Combat Support GroupAction Date:
April 28, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-842 (June 14, 1967)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-1909611), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 388th Combat Support Group in Southeast Asia in 1966/1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
388th Combat Support GroupAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-1909611), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 388th Combat Support Group in Southeast Asia in 1966/1967. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest 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 VietnamAction Date:
May 5, 1967 – March 4, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Colonel Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-1909611), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 5 May 1967 to 4 March 1973. 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 Larson 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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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
388th Combat Support GroupAction Date:
December 4, 1966
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. 288 (February 22, 1967)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Gordon A. Larson (AFSN: FR-26473/AO-1909611), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 388th Combat Support Group in Southeast Asia on 4 December 1966. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.