About Tom Starr
Vietnam Veteran • Author • Speaker
A Life of Service
From the jungles of Vietnam to the press boxes of college football, Tom Starr has spent a lifetime serving, building, and telling the stories that matter.
Vietnam War Service
Served in Vietnam with distinction. Awarded the Bronze Star, two Joint Service Commendation Medals (Oak Leaf Cluster), the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Held Top Secret Crypto clearance, providing a vantage point into the intelligence and strategic dimensions of the conflict that most veterans did not have. Graduate of the U.S. Army Adjutant General School.
University of Iowa & Iowa State University
Earned a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Iowa. Completed coursework for a Master's Degree in Public Relations at Iowa State University. Also a graduate of the ESPN School of Business. Hall of Fame inductee at his prep alma mater, Newton, Iowa High School.
Sports Information & Conference Work
Served as Sports Information Director at Iowa State University, then as Service Bureau Director of the Big Eight Conference (now the Big 12)—building the media and communications expertise that would define his career in intercollegiate athletics.
Executive Director — Four Bowl Games
Tom is the only individual in history to serve as Executive Director of four different college football post-season bowl games: the Sun Bowl (El Paso, TX), the Freedom Bowl (Anaheim, CA), the First Responder Bowl (Dallas, TX), and the Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth, TX). He co-founded the latter three. He also held the title of Sr. Associate Director of the Independence Bowl (Shreveport, LA). Additionally, Tom worked in the ESPN special events division while directing the Armed Forces Bowl.
The Armed Forces Bowl & Starr MVP Award
The Armed Forces Bowl, sponsored by Lockheed Martin, named its Most Valuable Player Trophy in Tom's honor—the Starr MVP Award. A recognition of his foundational role in creating an institution that bridges college athletics and military appreciation at the highest level.
Awards & Accolades
Twice named College Football Bowl Executive-of-the-Year. Awarded the College Football Bowl Association Legacy Award in 2023. The Dallas Cowboys and Crown Royal honored Tom with the Community Hero Award at a 2025 regular season game for his service and contributions. Hall of Fame member at Newton, Iowa High School.
National Medal of Honor Museum
Tom currently serves as an Honor Guide at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas—continuing his lifelong commitment to honoring military service and preserving the stories of those who served.
They Never Heard the Final Shot
Published his comprehensive account of the Vietnam War—the book he spent decades researching and writing. A culmination of firsthand experience, years of study, and a deep conviction that the full story of Vietnam has never been properly told to the American public.
Audiobook Release
The unabridged audiobook launched on Audible, narrated by Christopher Brown. At 9 hours and 42 minutes, it brings the full scope of Tom's account to listeners everywhere—with Whispersync support for seamless reading and listening.