Paul Robinson graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1962. During the Vietnam War he flew 387 combat missions during two tours of duty, before he was shot down on July 1, 1972, and interned as a Prisoner of War until his release on March 28, 1973. He retired in 1988 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.
Sponsored by:
Paul
Kurtz
Robinson
, Jr.
POW (RVN)
January 5, 1939
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Paul Kurtz Robinson, Jr. (AFSN: FR-64049), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Aircraft Commander of the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in action over Southeast Asia on 5 April 1972. On that date, Major Robinson led a flight of three fighter-bombers against a heavily fortified hostile mortar and rocket battery engaged in shelling nearby allied military and civilian positions. Despite intense hostile ground fire and marginal weather conditions, Major Robinson successfully attacked the positions, eliminating the hostile threat and thereby saving the lives of countless friendly military and civilian personnel. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Robinson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Paul Kuyrtz Robinson, Jr. (AFSN: FR-64049), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Robinson culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
308th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Tuy Hoa Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
July 14 & 15, 1968
The 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Paul Kurtz Robinson, Jr. (AFSN: FR-64049), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a Forward Air Controller piloting an F-100F of the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, in action over North Vietnam, on 14 and 15 July 1968. On these dates, Captain Robinson participated in the rescue of an injured pilot who had ejected in one of the most heavily defended areas of the southern panhandle. He quickly acquired the exact locations of fourteen active anti-aircraft artillery positions and through his skillful marking and target descriptions, all defending sites were either silenced or destroyed. Captain Robinson’s ability to predict requirements and to deal with the seemingly overwhelming hostile defenses transformed a hazardous rescue operation into a perfectly coordinated team effort which succeeded without a single injury or loss of aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Robinson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Paul Kurtz Robinson, Jr. (AFSN: FR-64049), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Aircraft Commander with the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in action over Southeast Asia on or about 1 July 1972. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Robinson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1, 1972 – March 28, 1973
(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 Major Paul Kurtz Robinson, Jr. (AFSN: FR-64049), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 July 1972 to 28 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.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1, 1972 – March 28, 1973
(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 Major Paul Kurtz Robinson, Jr. (AFSN: FR-64049), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1, 1972 – March 28, 1973
Major Paul Kurtz Robinson, Jr. (AFSN: FR-64049), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 1, 1972 until his release on March 28, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Paul Kurtz Robinson, Jr. (AFSN: FR-64049), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Robinson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Paul Kurtz Robinson, Jr. (AFSN: FR-64049), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Robinson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
308th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Tuy Hoa Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
March 20, 1968
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 Captain Paul Kurtz Robinson, Jr. (AFSN: FR-64049), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller of the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, operating over North Vietnam on 20 March 1968. On that date, Captain Robinson located and directed a fighter strike against one of the most lucrative vehicle convoys ever sighted in North Vietnam. He stopped the movement of numerous vehicles with strafing passes and thwarted the attempts by hostile forces to move the vehicles. He repeatedly descended to low altitude through intense hostile ground fire to find and mark lucrative groups of vehicles. His courageous tactics and professional direction of the strike flights dealt the hostile forces a severe blow in their re-supply efforts. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Robinson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.