William A. Baird

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to William A. Baird, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period November 1970 through March 1973. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions and propaganda materials. Staff Sergeant Baird 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 Army.