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 the Silver Star to Captain Robert Archie Abbott (AFSN: FR-81453), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Pilot serving with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia on 30 April 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Abbott was a member of a surface-to-air missile suppression flight protecting a strike force of fighter-bombers which were to strike a vital transformer in a heavily defended area. When a hostile interceptor downed Lieutenant Abbott’s leader, he gave little thought to his own personal safety and established a RESCAP orbit over the downed aircrew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Abbott has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 1967 – April 1970
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 Captain Robert Archie Abbott (AFSN: FR-81453), United States Air Force, 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 April 1967 to April 1970. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected 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:
September 1968 – November 1969
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 Archie Abbott (AFSN: FR-81453), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period September 1968 to November 1969. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 30, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Captain Robert Archie Abbott (AFSN: FR-81453), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 30, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
January 17, 1967
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 First Lieutenant Robert Archie Abbott (AFSN: FR-81453), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot serving with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 17 January 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Abbott was a member of a flight directed to strike a heavily defended major railroad yard. Despite an attack by hostile interceptors, high threat of surface-to-air missiles and heavy defensive fire in the target area, Lieutenant Abbott successfully delivered his ordnance on target. The interdiction of this vital rail yard severely hampered the flow of supplies and steel from a major industrial center and greatly complicated the hostile re-supply effort. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Adams reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by 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 Archie Abbott (AFSN: FR-81453), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during May 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Captain Abbott resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.