Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Gerald Santo Venanzi (AFSN: FV-3173807), United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as Principal Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Affairs, East Asia and Pacific Region, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, from May 1982 to May 1985. Colonel Venanzi’s performance of duty was extraordinary in the handling of sensitive issues which the President and the Secretary of Defense designed as being of the highest national priority. Colonel Venanzi did much of the work responsible for obtaining progress from the Indo-Chinese governments toward achieving the fullest possible accounting for our missing men. This was done without compromising United States policies toward those countries on other issues. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Venanzi reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Gerald Santo Venanzi (AFSN: FV-3173807), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Navigator over North Vietnam on 30 June 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Venanzi braved extremely heavy and accurate hostile fire to obtain photographic coverage of a priority one target. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Venanzi reflect 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 to First Lieutenant Gerald Santo Venanzi (AFSN: FV-3173807), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Navigator over North Vietnam on 12 July 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Venanzi maneuvered an unarmed, unescorted RF-4C over one of the most formidable air defenses ever to challenge United States combat aircrews. Facing hostile gunfire and imminent attack from hostile fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missiles, Lieutenant Venanzi demonstrated exemplary courage and superior skill in successfully completing his mission with outstanding results. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Venanzi reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Gerald Santo Venanzi (AFSN: FV-3173807), United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as Military Assistant, Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs), from May 1985 to May 1987. Colonel Venanzi earned the abiding respect and admiration of seniors and subordinates alike for his sound advice and staunch, creative support to key decision makers during the TWA Flight 847 hijacking crisis, the Achille Lauro affair, the Gulf of Sidra actions and the United States military response to Libyan terrorism directed against United States citizens. During his tenure he planned, organized and implemented several key overseas missions by the Assistant Secretary of Defense, including the first-ever visits by a high-ranking United States Defense Official to Algeria and Chad. As the manager of the Assistant Secretary’s immediate office, Colonel Venanzi exhibited the very highest qualities of military leadership and managerial expertise, ensuring that key defense issues were acted upon promptly and framed properly for decisions by the National Command Authority. Colonel Venanzi’s tireless devotion to duty, his tact, patience and good humor, unfailing brought out the best in seniors and subordinates alike. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Venanzi reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1967 – September 1970
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 Captain Gerald Santo Venanzi (AFSN: FV-3173807), 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 September 1967 to September 1970. 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 16, 1989 – August 31, 1990
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 Gerald Santo Venanzi (AFSN: FV-3173807), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 3636th Combat Crew Training Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington from 16 July 1989 to 31 August 1990. During this period, the exemplary abilities, diligence, and devotion to duty of Colonel Venanzi were instrumental factors in the successful training of more than 8,000 survival students. Through his efforts, aircrew members will have the knowledge and skills to survive in many difficult circumstances. Moreover, he led survival training in a direction to maintain its relevancy for all survival students. Not only were today’s training needs being met, but plans are in being to keep survival training and facilities on track to move into the next century. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Venanzi culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect 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 First Lieutenant Gerald Santo Venanzi (AFSN: FV-3173807), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Aircraft Navigator near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 29 August 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Venanzi navigated his aircraft to successfully photograph a high priority target in spite of the high threat from heavily concentrated hostile defenses. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Venanzi reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
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 First Lieutenant Gerald Santo Venanzi (AFSN: FV-3173807), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an RF-4C Aircraft Navigator near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 17 September 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Venanzi, as lead navigator, maneuvered a flight of two RF-4C aircraft on a reconnaissance mission into one of the most heavily defended areas ever to confront United States combat aircrews. In spite of a surface-to-air missile/anti-aircraft artillery attack that damaged his aircraft, Lieutenant Venanzi continued to his assigned target, and with his wingman obtained one hundred per cent coverage of all assigned targets, as well as several bonus targets, prior to having to abandon his disabled aircraft while over hostile territory. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Venanzi has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 15, 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 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Gerald Santo Venanzi (AFSN: FV-3173807), 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. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions and propaganda materials. Captain Venanzi 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:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 17, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Captain Gerald Santo Venanzi, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 17, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.