Across the Wing-Stories of Navy Carrier Combat Squadrons in the Vietnam Theatre



CAPTAIN TRENT RICHARD POWERS – EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM

AMONG THE BRAVE

OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM… CAPTAIN TRENT RICHARD POWERS, UNITED STATES NAVY…

NAVY CROSS

“The President of the United States takes great pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS (Posthumously) to CAPTAIN then LIEUTENANT COMMANDER TRENT RICHARD POWERS, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 31 October 1965 while serving as a pilot of jet attack aircraft with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (VA-164), embarked in U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34) during a combat mission over hostile territory in North Vietnam. CAPTAIN POWERS was assigned the demanding and unusual task of leading a two-division, United States Air Force flight into an area heavily defended by anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles, with the mission of locating and destroying the missile installations. He planned the attack route and led the eight-plane group over more than 600 miles of unfamiliar, cloud-shrouded, mountainous terrain, arriving in the target area precisely at a pre-briefed time that had been selected to coincide with the strikes of two carrier air wings against a bridge. The target area was the scene of an intense air-to-ground battle, many surface-to-air missiles were being fired and heavy anti-aircraft fire was observed in all directions. With full knowledge of the serious hazards involved, CAPTAIN POWERS courageously led the Air Force aircraft into the battle. His bombs and those of the Air Force aircraft which he led inflicted severe damage to both missile sites. By the superior skill and valiant determination, CAPTAIN POWERS upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Captain Powers was initially listed as Missing in Action status on 31 October 1965, the date of his extraordinary mission. The status was changede to that of Prisoner of War, though his full fate remains unknown. It is generally believed that he died in captivity. His remains were returned by the Vietnamese in May 1987.

 

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