Gunfighters honor Vietnam War veteran

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Ingold
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Air Force Office of Special Investigation special agents have a reputation for intense scrutiny, and train to notice details others may miss.

These facts made the surprise for retired Special Agent Norman Seymour much stronger when Brig. Gen. Terry L. Bullard presented him a Bronze Star Medal for his exemplary leadership, personal endeavor and devotion to duty during the Vietnam War at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Feb. 9, 2023.

“It is an honor to take the opportunity to decorate a member of the OSI family,” said Brig. Gen. Terry L. Bullard, Air Force Office of Special Investigation commander. “It is wonderful that we get to pause and honor Norman Seymour, and I am awfully proud of Team 221.”

The catalyst for Seymour receiving his Bronze Star from Bullard was Seymour realizing his citation, awarded to him in 1969, was lost and reaching out to AFOSI Detachment 221 at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Finding the citation in the national archives over 50 years after issue was a challenge to Team 221, but they were committed to ensuring Seymour had a proper copy of his decoration.

“We searched the national archives and found his medal, but we couldn’t miss the opportunity to recognize him for all of the things he did in Vietnam,” said Special Agent Christopher Kelly, AFOSI Detachment 221 senior enlisted leader. “We brought him in as an honorary detachment member and wanted to surprise him with General Bullard presenting his Bronze Star to him.”

Kelly said OSI is a small, family-oriented career field and that family continues even after leaving the career field.

Seymour’s service during the Vietnam War was extraordinary due to the nature of special agent duties. Seymour resided in the local Vietnamese community while operating against enemy insider threats and was not afforded the protection of an air base with dedicated security forces.

He greatly exposed himself to danger during his tour, but through his commitment to duty and his professionalism, effectively worked for the United States and returned home safely to his wife and family.