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
 

   

  1973-1974, Air Force Eastern Test Range

Colonel
From Month/Year
September / 1973
To Month/Year
August / 1974
Unit
Air Force Eastern Test Range Unit Page
Rank
Colonel
AFSC/MOS
Not Specified
Base, Station or City
Patrick AFB
State/Country
Florida
   
 Patch
 Air Force Eastern Test Range Details

Air Force Eastern Test Range
Type
HQ/ Command Element
 
Parent Unit
Command Elements
Strength
Range
Created/Owned By
Not Specified
   

Last Updated: Sep 4, 2018
   
Memories For This Unit

Other Memories
He was Director of Range Operations from Sep 1, 1973, until retiring from the AF Aug 31, 1974.

   
Yearbook
 
My Photos For This Unit
No Available Photos
9 Members Also There at Same Time
Air Force Eastern Test Range

Johngrass, Gary, Sgt, (1970-1974) 630 63030 Sergeant
Jones, David Mudgett, Maj Gen, (1930-1973) 200 2 Major General
Finlay, John Stewart, Col, (1949-1975) Colonel
Bean, Gary, Maj, (1968-1988) Captain
Wheeler, Thomas, Capt, (1971-1979) 289 2895B Second Lieutenant
Lulf, Danny, SSgt, (1968-1977) 511 51170 Staff Sergeant
Maddox, Daryl, Sgt, (1971-1975) 903 90350 Sergeant
Tucker, Darryl, MSgt, (1966-1988) 645 64550 Sergeant
Zalon, Rick, SSgt, (1971-1977) 791 Sergeant

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