Real American Heroes

Willard S. Gideon’s Silver Star

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

ESTABLISHED BY AN ACT OF CONGRESS 9 JULY 1918 (AMENDED BY ACT OF 25 JULY 1963) AND AWARDED BY THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SILVER STAR MEDAL

PRESENTED TO

MAJOR WILLARD SELLECK GIDEON

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Willard Selleck Gideon (AFSN: 13425173/3025283), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief, in action over North Vietnam on 7 August 1966. On that date, Major Gideon participated in the destruction of a major petroleum storage facility in North Vietnam. Demonstrating superior skill, aggressiveness and determination, he pressed his attack delivering all ordnance on target while evading Surface-to-Air missiles that were launched gains him, as well as extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Gideon has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.


Born: June 3, 1931, in Takoma Park, Md… Flew for the U.S. Air Force in Europe’s “Skyblazer” F-100 demonstration team from 1960-62… Assigned to the 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron… Flew 55 combat missions before anti-aircraft artillery shot down his F-105D (#61-0140) on “Black Sunday,” Aug. 7, 1966… Spent 2,402 days in captivity and was released on March 4, 1973… Retired ten years later as a colonel… Passed away in 2016 and buried at Arlington National Cemetery

Leave a Reply