This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Alan Guttersen-Family
to remember
Guttersen, Laird, 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.
He served his country in 3 wars. He served 4 tours in Vietnam. In the 4th tour, he was shot down twice. He was rescued after the 1st; but after the 2nd, he spent 1,847 days as a POW in North Vietnam, over 2 years of it in solitary confinement.
He was cremated; the location of his ashes is unknown.
His Silver Star citation: 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 Colonel Laird Guttersen (AFSN: 17144156), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during February 1968, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Guttersen resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Action Date: Feb-68
