AMONG THE BRAVE

OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM… COLONEL NORMAN SCHMIDT, USAF…

AIR FORCE CROSS

“The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the AIR FORCE CROSS (POSTHUMOUSLY) to NORMAN SCHMIDT, COLONEL,United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 September 1966 to 28 august 1967. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower in the face of the enemy, COLONEL SCHIMDT reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”

Among COLONEL SCHMIDT’s combat awards: the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross (2), Air Medal (5), Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor “V”, and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Colonel Schmidt was downed while flying an F-104 on a strafing attack on a truck park about 25 miles northeast of Dong Hoi on 1 September 1966. An extensive rescue effort failed and COLONEL SCHMIDT was imprisoned in Hanoi. The following is quoted from “Honor Bound” by Rochester and Kiley…Page 105: “Major Norman Schmidt… would be killed by the Vietnamese or die in prison–the circumstances are not clear–a year after his capture. All told…eight of the 1966 group (of POWs) would die in captivity.”