Commander Robert Bartsch Doremus (NSN: 0-4873032/597366), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 24, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Robert Bartsch Doremus (NSN: 0-4873032/597366), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during September 1966. Commander Doremus’ captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Commander Doremus reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 24, 1965 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Robert Bartsch Doremus (NSN: 0-4873032/597366), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1965 to February 1973. Under the most adverse conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he serves as both an educator and an entertainer to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Robert Bartsch Doremus (NSN: 0-4873032/597366), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, Personnel Support Activity, Great Lakes, Illinois from August 1983 through June 1986. A superbly effective and resourceful leader, Captain Doremus coordinated the broad spectrum of complex policy and procedural matters concerning deliver of pay, personnel, and passenger transportation support, through nine support detachments, to more than 36,000 active and reserve personnel and their dependents and the retired community throughout fourteen Midwestern states. With exceptional organizational acumen and superb management technique, he imparted to his staff of 475 military and civilian personnel an unparalleled sense of purpose and dedication. His exacting and nurturing leadership inspired subordinates to overcome manning and funding shortfalls, to adapt comfortably to an environment of constant change, and to provide incomparably better customer service. Captain Doremus’ extraordinary caring commitment, peerless leadership, and selfless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1971 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Robert Bartsch Doremus (NSN: 0-4873032/597366), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a P:risoner of War in North Vietnam from March 1971 to February 1973. As the Cell Block Medical Officer, caring for 30 to 40 other prisoners, he was one of the few American POW’s able to establish rapport with his captors. He used this relationship not to gain personal advantage, but to benefit all his fellow prisoners in the tangible assets of medical and sanitation supplies. Each morning he personally checked the physical condition of each of the men in his cell block and gave medical attention as needed. At the risk of personal harassment, he persisted in the demand for acceptable standards of health care for his fellow prisoners. Through his continuous and successful efforts, the prisoners of his cell block received the best medical attention available and the sanitary conditions improved. His unselfish dedication, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Fighting Squadron 21 (VF-21)Division:
U.S.S. Midway (CVA-41)Action Date:
June 17, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Robert Bartsch Doremus (NSN: 0-4873032/597366), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VF-21), attached to the U.S.S. MIDWAY (CVA-41), as Flight Officer of an F-4B Phantom aircraft during a mission in support of combat operations in Southeast Asia against North Vietnam forces on 17 June 1965. Engaging at least four and possibly six FRESCO aircraft, Commander Doremus accounted for one confirmed kill and contributed to a second confirmed kill by the other F-4B aircraft in the flight by diverting the remaining enemy planes from their threat to the U.S. striking forces. With heavy anti-aircraft fire bursting through the patrol area, his crew relentlessly maintained their vigil and pressed forward their attack, seeking out and destroying the enemy aircraft and thereby preventing damage to friendly strike aircraft in the area. By his outstanding courage, skill, and devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Commander Doremus upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1965 – December 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Robert Bartsch Doremus (NSN: 0-4873032/597366), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1965 to May 1967 and from June 1969 to December 1970. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]