Lieutenant Colonel Jack Harvey Tomes, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 7, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
April 2, 1980 – August 31, 1983
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 Jack Harvey Tomes (AFSN: FR-65155), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of Personnel Programs and Director of Assignments, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters Pacific Air Force, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, from 2 April 1980 to 31 August 1983. Colonel Tomes’ superior leadership and managerial skills were the driving force behind the successful accomplishment of a wide range of highly sensitive quality force and assignment programs which impacted on mission readiness, career development, retention and the experience levels of both the officer and enlisted force throughout Pacific Air Forces. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Tomes 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
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-604 (1966)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 Captain Jack Harvey Tomes (AFSN: FR-65155), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 29 June 1966. On that date, Captain Tomes was a member of a flight assigned to destroy the heavily defended Hanoi petroleum products storage facility. Despite encountering defensive fire of intensity unparalleled in this conflict, Captain Tomes fearlessly pressed his attack, placing his ordnance precisely on his assigned target. The resulting fireball contributed to the ensuing firestorm that totally destroyed the complex, crippling Hanoi’s petroleum fed industries and transportation system. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Tomes reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1966
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 Jack Harvey Tomes (AFSN: FR-65155), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in September 1966 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. Colonel Tomes 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1966 – July 1969
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 Lieutenant Colonel Jack Harvey Tomes (AFSN: FR-65155), 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 during the period July 1966 to July 1969. 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1966
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 Lieutenant Colonel Jack Harvey Tomes (AFSN: FR-65155), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam in July 1966. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.