Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Michael
Tschudy
POW (RVN)
1935-04-16

–

Born:

Highland

, 

Illinois

Home:

Highland

, 

Illinois

William Tschudy served for three years in the Marine Corps, before entering service as a U.S. Naval Aviator. During the Vietnam War he was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on July 18, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 1967 – January 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander William Michael Tschudy (NSN: 0-660481/MCSN: 1638725), 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 September 1967 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 United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Tschudy is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 1965 – February 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander William Michael Tschudy (NSN: 0-660481/MCSN: 1638725), United States Navy, 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 July 1965 to February 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Further, despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being as a member of the entertainment group. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Tschudy is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]

    Batallion:

    Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Independence (CVA-62)

    Action Date:

    July 16, 1965

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] William Michael Tschudy (NSN: 0-660481/MCSN: 1638725), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 16 July 1965 as the bombardier/navigator of an aircraft in Attack Squadron SEVENTY-FIVE, embarked in U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. Flying in the lead aircraft, Lieutenant Commander Tschudy navigated a six-plane coordinated strike unit to the area of the Bang Lang Moi Bridge in North Vietnam. Upon arrival in the target area, and in the face of anti-aircraft artillery fire from defending batteries, he assisted his pilot in visually locating the target. Several direct bomb hits were scored on the bridge during the attack, causing one span to collapse into the river below. Lieutenant Commander Tschudy’s skillful performance and composure under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander William Michael Tschudy (NSN: 0-660481/MCSN: 1638725), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. In February 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

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to William Michael Tschudy (NSN: 0-660481/MCSN: 1638725), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam, from August to September 1965 and from March 1967 to September 1968. 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. (Lieutenant Commander Tschudy is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1965 – February 12, 1973

    Commander William Michael Tschudy (NSN: 0-660481/MCSN: 1638725), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 18, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.