Robert Barnett served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1946 to 1949. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1953, and was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 3, 1967, and was held until his release on March 14, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Robert
Warren
Barnett
POW (RVN)
October 12, 1928
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelBatallion:
44th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 1, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Robert Warren Barnett (AFSN: FR-31021), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 1 August 1967. On that date, Major Barnett was directed to strike a high priority military target in North Vietnam. In spite of adverse weather and extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire, Major Barnett delivered his ordnance accurately on the highly defended target, thereby damaging a vital rail transportation line. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Barnett reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
44th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 2, 1967
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 Major Robert Warren Barnett (AFSN: FR-31021), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 2 August 1967. On that date, Major Barnett was directed to attack a high priority military target. In spite of an intense barrage of 37, 57, and 85-mm anti-aircraft fire, Major Barnett dropped all his ordnance on the target, severely damaging an important rail line. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Barnett reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Colonel Robert Warren Barnett (AFSN: FR-31021), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 3, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Colonel Robert Warren Barnett (AFSN: FR-31021), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 3, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Colonel Robert Warren Barnett (AFSN: FR-31021), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Robert Warren Barnett (AFSN: FR-31021), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Robert Warren Barnett (AFSN: FR-31021), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during October 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Barnett resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
44th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
September 9, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1988 (November 13, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Robert Warren Barnett (AFSN: FR-31021), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Pilot with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action over North Vietnam, on 9 September 1967. On that date, Major Barnett led a force of twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs on a successful attack against a hostile location. Despite intense hostile fire and weather which partially obscured the target, Major Barnett’s attack heavily damaged this vital MiG base. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Barnett has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.