ALVAREZ-EVERETT

LEGION  OF  MERIT  CITATION  SECOND  AWARD

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (NSN: 0-4733517), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1964 to February 1973.  Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States.  In an outstanding and tireless fashion he served as an educator to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment.  Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being.  His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

 

BRONZE  STAR  MEDAL  CITATION  SECOND  AWARD

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" to Lieutenant Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (NSN: 0-4733517), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1965 to January 1966.  Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications.  At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale.  By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.