The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Bruce Michael Freeman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 29 December 1972. On that date, Captain Freeman flew a strike escort mission to protect B-52 aircraft striking targets near Hanoi, North Vietnam. Despite marginal weather conditions, heavy antiaircraft fire, and eight surface-to-air missiles that were launched at his flight, Captain Freeman was able to nullify an attack on the strike force by a hostile aircraft, allowing the strike force to deliver their ordnance on their assigned targets. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Freeman reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
October 1992 – July 1995
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Michael Freeman, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as Special Assistant, Security and Survivability, Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy, from October 1992 to July 1995. Colonel Freeman expertly represented the Department of Defense (DoD) in the high stakes arena of international diplomacy. While serving as the senior DoD negotiator on an interagency delegation, he employed unsurpassed negotiating skills, exceptional leadership, and organizational ability to successfully conclude an unprecedented agreement on nuclear weapon safety and security. He resolved potentially explosive issues and revitalized efforts to improve nuclear security in the Southern Region through the Weapon System Security and Survivability Program. As a direct result of his tireless efforts, the nuclear weapons of the United Sates and the Russian Federation are safer and more secure. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Freeman culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 28, 1990 – November 26, 1991
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Bruce Michael Freeman, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Vice Commander, THIRTEENTH Air Force, and as Commander, 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, from 28 June 1990 to 26 November 1991. Throughout this period, he was a pivotal player and negotiator in the restructuring of our bilateral defense relationships in the Southwest Pacific region, and provided lifesaving leadership during a series of natural disasters in the Philippines. As the on-scene commander following a 7.7 level earthquake that struck Central Luzon leaving 1,700 dead and a million homeless, he developed and led a joint Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps organization that safely evacuated over 2,600 victims, provided medical assistance to over 16,400 others, and saved countless additional lives through timely deliver of 282 tons of critically needed supplies. With the eruption of Mount Pinatubo imminent, he was designated the initial on-scene commander at Subic Bay Naval Station for 16,000 Clark evacuees and provided the decisive leadership needed to guide the evacuees through the trauma of the early eruptions. As the Chief of Staff, Joint Task Force FIERY VIGIL, for the remainder of the operation, he was a trusted advisor, planner, and leader for the historic evacuation of 20,000 Americans from the Philippines. Subsequently, as wing commander of a mission essential force of 2,500 personnel, he safely extracted his wing’s people household good, munitions, and critical equipment despite continued eruptions, earthquakes, mudflows, terrorist assassinations, and extensive criminal activity. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Freeman reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3799 (July 5, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Army Award) to First Lieutenant Bruce Michael Freeman, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight. First Lieutenant Freeman distinguished himself by heroic action on 1 May 1969 in support of the 6th Airborne Battalion, Airborne Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On this date at 0145 hours, Lieutenant Freeman volunteered to fly over the contact area which was being attacked by a reinforced enemy battalion. Over the area, he immediately assumed control of the Army gunships and began to direct their firepower on the enemy antiaircraft and mortar positions. He repeatedly subjected himself to withering antiaircraft and ground fire while making low level passes to spot and mark the enemy positions. For four hours he flew over the contact area directing devastating firepower on the enemy positions, disregarding the accurate antiaircraft, ground and mortar fire. Lieutenant Freeman’s extraordinary courage while flying through intense, accurate enemy fire at night disrupted the enemy fire support elements and blunted their attack. First Lieutenant Freeman’s heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
U.S. Air Force Academy Southeast Asia Plaza of HeroesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Bruce Michael Freeman, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 9 March 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Freeman flew missions as a Forward Air Controller and overcame adverse weather conditions, the hazards of night operations at low altitudes, and intense antiaircraft fire in order to provide outstanding support to elements of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Airborne Division. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he repeatedly risked his life to save the lives of those friendly forces who were bitterly engaged in action on the ground. He was personally credited with saving the friendly units from almost certain destruction at the hands of a battalion-sized opposing armed force. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Freeman has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Michael Freeman, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as the Country Director for the United Kingdom, Canada and the BENELUX, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, from July 1987 to April 1990. Colonel Freeman’s extraordinary performance of duty in the management of highly sensitive political-military programs contributed immeasurably to closer and more productive bilateral defense relations between the United States and the United Kingdom, Canada and the BENELUX. Colonel Freeman gained the respect and trust of senior defense officials in all five countries and leaves behind a legacy of improved defense ties and healthy, productive defense cooperation. Colonel Freeman’s distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
July 1977 – June 1980
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Michael Freeman, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as the Middle East/Persian Gulf Crisis Contingency Officer, Operations Directorate, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the period July 1977 through June 1980. Lieutenant Colonel Freeman made major contributions in the area of Middle East peacekeeping initiatives, special contingency planning for the Persian Gulf, and development of the United States Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force. His efforts, particularly during United States contingency and United Nations peacekeeping operations, had a direct impact on the conduct of this country’s national security affairs. Lieutenant Colonel Freeman’s distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Bruce Michael Freeman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller near Tay Ninh City, Republic of Vietnam, on 17 August 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Freeman was flying his unarmed O-1 aircraft in support of a friendly outpost that had come under heavy attack by a large hostile force in the early morning hours. In spite of the limited conditions imposed by night operations, extremely marginal weather and intense hostile antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant Freeman remained on station directing tactical air and artillery support with devastating accuracy until the attack was broken and the safety of the friendly units was insured. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Freeman reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.