Ligon, Vernon Payton, Jr., Col

Deceased
 
 Service Photo   Service Details
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Last Rank
Colonel
Last Primary AFSC/MOS
1021A-Pilot
Last AFSC Group
Aircrew
Primary Unit
1973-1974, Air Force Eastern Test Range
Service Years
1942 - 1974
Officer srcset=
Colonel

 Last Photo   Personal Details 

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Home State
Kentucky
Kentucky
Year of Birth
1921
 
This Military Service Page was created/owned by SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr. to remember Ligon, Vernon Payton, Jr., Col USAF(Ret).

If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
 
Contact Info
Home Town
Frankfort, Kentucky
Last Address
Lake City, Florida
Date of Passing
Feb 28, 1995
 
Location of Interment
Florida Memorial Gardens - Rockledge, Florida

 Official Badges 

Air Force Commander Air Training Command Instructor (pre-1966) Air Force Retired


 Unofficial Badges 

Cold War Medal


 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
American Ex-POW AssociationNam-POWSAir Force Memorial (AFM)
  1945, American Ex-POW Association - Assoc. Page
  1973, Nam-POWS
  2017, Air Force Memorial (AFM) - Assoc. Page


 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:

He was captured and made a POW 3 times, twice in WWII (he escaped and was recaptured) and once in Vietnam.
 

His Silver Star (1 & 2 of 3) citations:

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

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 Lieutenant Colonel Vernon Peyton Ligon, Jr. (AFSN: FR-33825), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander of the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 24 October 1967. On that date, Colonel Ligon displayed outstanding aerial competence and courageous professionalism in the aggressive pursuance and acquisition of the assigned targets. The tenacity of this officer to attain the objective against formidable defenses is in accord with the highest military standards. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Ligon has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

General Orders: Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-160 (January 15, 1968)

Action Date: 24-Oct-67

Service: Air Force

Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Company: 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

Division: Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Vernon Peyton Ligon, Jr. (AFSN: FR-33825), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander of the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 19 November 1967. On that date, Colonel Ligon was shot down while participating in aerial flight in the execution of a high priority reconnaissance mission endeavoring to acquire vital intelligence data in support of the United States' commitment in Southeast Asia. His tenacity and fortitude were unquestionably displayed when he continued the pursuance of his assigned target after receiving battle damage. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Ligon has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: 19-Nov-67

Service: Air Force

Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Company: 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

Division: Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

 

 

   
Other Comments:

Synopsis of his 3rd silver Star citation:

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel Vernon Peyton Ligon, Jr. (AFSN: FR-33825), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam.

Action Date: November 1967

Service: Air Force

Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Division: Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)


Sources:
http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/l/l023.htm
http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=91
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=163390126
http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=24498
 

   

  1967-1967, 1021A, 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
From Month/Year
February / 1967
To Month/Year
September / 1967
Unit
363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing Unit Page
Rank
[Other Service Rank]
AFSC/MOS
1021A-Pilot
Base, Station or City
Shaw AFB
State/Country
South Carolina
   
 Patch
 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing Details

363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
Type
Combat - Command
 
Parent Unit
Air Force Wings
Strength
Wing
Created/Owned By
Not Specified
   

Last Updated: Apr 28, 2012
   
Memories For This Unit

Other Memories
RF-4C training

   
Yearbook
 
My Photos For This Unit
No Available Photos
16 Members Also There at Same Time
363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

Ziemba, Alvin F., Maj, (1948-1970) 132 1325D Major
Orlowski, Joseph Michael, Capt, (1959-1969) 157 1571 First Lieutenant
Berubee, Donald, MSgt, (1965-1986) 603 60370 Master Sergeant
Esser, Patrick, SSgt, (1966-1969) 702 70250A Staff Sergeant
Gwin, Stephen, SSgt, (1960-1968) 206 20670 Staff Sergeant
Landers, Phil, CMSgt, (1958-1981) 223 22370 Staff Sergeant
Caldwell, Larry, Sgt, (1965-1969) 610 61050 Sergeant
Edwards, Robert, Sgt, (1964-1970) 647 64750 Sergeant
Rispettoso, George, Sgt, (1962-1968) 471 47150 Sergeant
Blake, Edward, Sgt, (1963-1967) 431 43151C Airman 1st Class
Craib, Ray, SMSgt, (1963-1991) 204 20450 Airman 1st Class
Barnhill, Ronald, Sgt, (1966-1970) 301 30131 Airman 2nd Class
Heckel, Charles, Col, (1943-1975) 11 Lieutenant Colonel
Collins, George, Lt Col, (1967-1995) 00 Captain
Ballsmith, James, Maj, (1957-1977) Captain
Morris, Charles, MSgt, (1954-1976) Technical Sergeant

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