The third Air Force Cross conferred on Colonel Kasler resulted from his extraordinary heroism while a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. Colonel Kasler accomplished an amazing feat of resistance against the North Vietnamese when they attempted to force him to meet a visiting delegation and appear before television and news cameras. Through personal fortitude and absolute heroism, he completely withstood the most brutal of Vietnamese tortures and caused his captors extreme embarrassment in their failure to gain useful propaganda statements. Through extraordinary heroism, staunch display of courage, and willpower in the face of the enemy, Colonel Kasler reflected the highest credit on himself and the United States Air Force.

View COL Kasler’s Air Force Cross and First Oak Leaf Cluster. Col. Kasler joined the Legion of Valor in 1975.