(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 Major Donald Eugene O’Dell (AFSN: FV-3057281), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an F-105 Jet Aircraft of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia on 4 October 1967. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty 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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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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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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 17, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Major Donald Eugene O’Dell (AFSN: FV-3057281), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 17, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 17, 1967 – March 14, 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 Major Donald Eugene O’Dell (AFSN: FV-3057281), 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:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 17, 1967 – March 14, 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 Major Donald Eugene O’Dell (AFSN: FV-3057281), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 17 October 1967 to 14 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 17, 1967 – March 14, 1973
(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 Major Donald Eugene O’Dell (AFSN: FV-3057281), 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 17 October 1967 to 14 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
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
October 3, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1989 (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 Major Donald Eugene O’Dell (AFSN: FV-3057281), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an F-105 Jet Aircraft of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia on 3 October 1967. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty 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:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 17, 1967 – March 14, 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 the Silver Star to Major Donald Eugene O’Dell (AFSN: FV-3057281), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 17 October 1967 to 14 March 1973, 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 Abbott 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.