Navy Federal Credit Union

James Mulligan was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on March 20, 1966, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 20, 1966 – February 12, 1973

    Captain James Alfred Mulligan, Jr. (NSN: 0-504324), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 20, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 4, 1972

    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 James Alfred Mulligan, Jr. (NSN: 0-504324), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 4 September 1972. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment and intimidation in their attempt to publicly present the POW’s at a local museum. Annoyed at his refusal, the North Vietnamese ordered guards to torment him to complete physical exhaustion. After the guards overpowered him, he was handcuffed, bodily lifted and placed aboard a vehicle, and transported to the Museum. Displaying disinterest and disdain toward the North Vietnamese at the Museum, he gallantly continued his resistance which proved so embarrassing to the North Vietnamese it was never again attempted for propaganda purposes. His unwavering loyalty to prisoner organization policy, which promoted this willingness to resist, emphasized his devotion and loyalty to the United States and served as an inspiration to his fellow prisoners. By his extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and determination, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain Mulligan is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain James Alfred Mulligan, Jr. (NSN: 0-504324), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. In March 1966, his 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 to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 11 – March 18, 1971

    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 James Alfred Mulligan, Jr. (NSN: 0-504324), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 11 February to 18 March 1971. 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. (Captain Mulligan is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    August – September 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain James Alfred Mulligan, Jr. (NSN: 0-504324), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August to September 1966. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intra-camp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods in 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. (Captain Mulligan is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain [then Commander]

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 36 (VA-36)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65)

    Action Date:

    December 23, 1965

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] James Alfred Mulligan, Jr. (NSN: 0-504324), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 23 December 1965, as a pilot flying jet aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron THIRTY-SIX (VA-36), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65), during an attack against the heavily defended Hai Duong Rail and Highway Bridge in North Vietnam. Despite poor weather and heavy enemy defenses en route, Captain Mulligan, as division leader of four aircraft, led his division safely over unfamiliar terrain and penetrated areas protected by large numbers of anti-aircraft batteries and automatic-weapons positions. At the target, he deliberately pressed his dive-bombing attack and through intense and accurate ground fire, placing his bombs directly on target. Captain Mulligan’s determined leadership, exceptional aeronautical skill, and personal courage in the face of fierce enemy opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 1966 – February 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain James Alfred Mulligan, Jr. (NSN: 0-504324), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 1966 to February 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain Mulligan is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1969 – January 1972

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain James Alfred Mulligan, Jr. (NSN: 0-504324), United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 1969 to January 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain Mulligan is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1969

    The 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 James Alfred Mulligan, Jr. (NSN: 0-504324), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. In January 1969, his 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 to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.