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 Robert F. Burke, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 1st Special Operations Squadron in Southeast Asia from 3 April 1972 to 6 April 1972. During this period, Captain Burke flew in support of a Search and Rescue mission to recover downed American crewmembers located ten miles south of the Demilitarized Zone in South Vietnam in the middle of an advancing army of heavily armed hostile troops. Although forced to fly at low altitudes because of the overcast weather, Captain Burke disregarded personal safety and repeatedly exposed his slow moving A-01 Skyraider to intense anti-aircraft and small arms fire to protect the survivors, thus insuring their eventual successful recovery. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Burke has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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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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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Robert F. Burke, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 1st Special Operations Squadron in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Robert F. Burke, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 1st Special Operations Squadron in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Robert F. Burke, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 1st Special Operations Squadron in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Robert F. Burke, United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 1st Special Operations Squadron in Southeast Asia.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
April 22, 1992 – August 31, 1993
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 F. Burke, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 18th Air Support Group, and Air Liaison Officer, XVIII Airborne Corps, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, from 22 April 1992 to 31 August 1993. During this period, Colonel Burke’s exemplary ability, diligence, devotion to duty and leadership skills were instrumental in the establishment of the 18th Air Support Group and its superb performance in support of the XVIII Airborne Corps mission. He spearheaded the development of procedures that allow the headquarters staff of 18 people to accomplish duties previously done by a wing of 40 people. The detachments under Colonel Burke’s guidance are always ready to meet the challenge – whether providing support for relief efforts following Hurricane ANDREW and in Somalia or training for combat contingencies. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Burke culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronAction Date:
March 19, 1972
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order GB-0029 (October 6, 1972)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Robert E. Burke, United States Air Force, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 1st Special Operations Squadron in Southeast Asia on 19 March 1972.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronAction Date:
May 12, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Robert F. Burke, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 12 May 1972. On that date, Captain Burke flew in support of a search and rescue mission, attempting to recover the crew member of a downed American aircraft located in uncharted territory forty miles southwest of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Captain Burke repeatedly exposed his slow-moving aircraft to the threat of hostile aircraft and gun positions to locate and protect the survivor of the fallen aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Burke reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Robert F. Burke, United States Air Force, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 1st Special Operations Squadron in Southeast Asia.