Frederick Purrington was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 20, 1966, and was held until his release on February 18, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Frederick
Raymond
Purrington
POW (RVN)
March 1, 1941
–
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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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
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 20, 1966 – February 18, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Frederick Raymond Purrington (NSN: 0-9052802), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 20 October 1966 to 18 February 1973. 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.]
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 20, 1966 – February 18, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Frederick Raymond Purrington (NSN: 0-9052802), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 20, 1966 until his release on February 18, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 20, 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 Lieutenant Commander Frederick Raymond Purrington (NSN: 0-9052802), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 20 October 1966. Lieutenant Commander Purrington’s 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, Lieutenant Commander Purrington reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 20, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Frederick Raymond Purrington (NSN: 0-9052802), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 20 November 1966. Lieutenant Commander Purrington’s 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, Lieutenant Commander Purrington 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:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 20, 1966 – February 18, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Frederick Raymond Purrington (NSN: 0-9052802), 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 20 October 1966 to 18 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 Frederick Raymond Purrington (NSN: 0-9052802), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of training of the Naval Education and training Center, Newport, Rhode Island, from June 1986 to June 1988. During this period, Captain Purrington’s superb performance contributed substantially in making the Training Department, with its nine schools engaged in officer accession and professional training, a strong and efficiently managed training organization. He was instrumental in the development of many important programs at the Naval Education and Training Center, including the Personal Excellence Program and the establishment of a Curriculum Instructions Standard Officer position. In spite of decreasing financial resources, Captain Purrington, through his exceptional managerial abilities, was able to ensure that the quality of training improved. Through his initiative, leadership, and management, high standards of training excellence were achieved. In addition, he was a constant inspiration for his staff and the school directors. Captain Purrington’s untiring efforts to carry out the assignments of his demanding tasks with unfailing good judgment, effectiveness, and total dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.