Robert Certain was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on December 18, 1972 and was held until his release on March 29, 1973. He subsequently became a U.S. Air Force Chaplain and retired as a U.S. Air Force (Reserve) Colonel in 1999. He published his autobiography, “Unchained Eagle, From Prisoner of War to Prisoner of Christ” in 2003, and is the founder of the Unchained Eagle Memorial and Benevolent Society.
Sponsored by:
Robert
Glenn
Certain
POW (RVN)
1947
–
Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 18, 1972 – March 29, 1973
Captain Robert Glenn Certain, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 18, 1972 until his release on March 29, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 30, 1995 – July 8, 1999
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 Glenn Certain, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States as Senior Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Senior Staff Chaplain, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, from 30 June 1995 to 8 July 1999. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Chaplain Certain were instrumental factors in the establishment of the Chaplain Service at the Air Force Academy as a preeminent total-force care-giving agency. His warrior heroism, unsurpassed leadership abilities, and formidable pastoral competency converged in his role as a strategic leader in the Chaplaincy to effect needed changes in the total-force approach to ministry that will shape pastoral care for the Air Force well into the 21st Century. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Chaplain Certain culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Robert Glenn Certain, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a B-52 Navigator near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 18 December 1972. On that date, while engaged in one of the largest conventional bombing raids ever amassed in the recent history of aerial warfare, Captain Certain’s aircraft received significant battle damage as the result of extremely heavy surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft artillery fire. Captain Certain and his crew were in quest of massed supplies, communications equipment and transportation lines in order to eliminate the aggressor’s capacity to initiate an offensive. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Certain reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 1972 – March 1973
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 Captain Robert Glenn Certain, United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 1972 to March 1973. 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.