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