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 Arthur William Burer (AFSN: AO-3087646), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 3750th Air Base Group, Sheppard Technical Training Center, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, from 21 February 1982 to 31 August 1983. During this period, Colonel Burer’s superior leadership and managerial competence molded the efforts of a multitude of base activities into a dynamic program which fulfilled not only the Air Force training support requirements but also those of the European-North Atlantic Treaty Organization Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. His personal involvement and dedication to duty directly benefited the United States Air Force and the Headquarters Air Training Command by providing cost-effective support in a major center for technical and flying training. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Burer culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966
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 the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Arthur William Burer (AFSN: AO-3087646), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during October 1966, 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. Lieutenant Colonel Burer 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.
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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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Arthur William Burer (AFSN: AO-3087646), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a reconnaissance pilot over North Vietnam on 13 January 1966. On that date, Captain Burer flew the wing aircraft in a flight of two unarmed and unescorted McDonnell RF-101 “Voodoos” deep into the missile defended area Northwest of Hanoi in North Vietnam. The mission was to photograph forty-five miles of the most heavily defended railroad in the world, a surface-to-air missile site, a rail yard, highway ford and a highway supply route. Despite the continuous missile threat and without any rescue or rescap aircraft Captain Burer heroically and with complete disregard for his own personal safety successfully photographed all assigned targets providing vitally needed new intelligence data. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Burer reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 21, 1966 – February 12, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur William Burer (AFSN: AO-3087646), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 21, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1967 – July 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 Lieutenant Colonel Arthur William Burer (AFSN: AO-3087646), 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 June 1967 to July 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1966 – March 1969
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 Lieutenant Colonel Arthur William Burer (AFSN: AO-3087646), 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 March 1966 to March 1969. 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.