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 Major Robert Roger Craner (AFSN: FV-3034131/11261367), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, Vietnam, as a member of a two-man Forward Air Control team operating over North Vietnam, on 24 August 1967. On that date, Major Craner directed four flights of strike fighters against two active hostile anti-aircraft artillery sites which were preventing successful interdiction operations along a heavily traveled supply route. In order to positively identify the targets to each succeeding strike flight, he had to repeatedly dive through extremely intense barrage fire from the two coordinated anti-aircraft artillery sites. Despite the extreme personal danger, Major Craner and his fellow crew member delivered their ordnance precisely on target and enabled the strike fighters to identify and neutralize the threat to subsequent flights in the area. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Craner has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 20, 1967 – March 14, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Robert Roger Craner (AFSN: FV-3034131/11261367), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam. 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
416th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Phu Cat Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
November 9, 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 Major Robert Roger Craner (AFSN: FV-3034131/11261367), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-100F Forward Air Controller of the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, Vietnam, while directing fighter aircraft in North Vietnam, on 9 November 1967. On that date, Major Craner repeatedly dove his aircraft through extremely intense hostile anti-aircraft artillery fire in the process of directing fighter operations against lucrative targets and defending gun positions in several different areas. His aggressiveness and courage in the face of withering fire and his complete disregard for his own personal safety were instrumental in the destruction of many of the hostile guns, thereby reducing the threat to friendly aircraft operating in those areas. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Craner has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 20, 1967 – March 14, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Major Robert Roger Craner (AFSN: FV-3034131/11261367), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 20 December 1967 to 14 March 1973. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Major Robert Roger Craner (AFSN: FV-3034131/11261367), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Misty Fast Forward Air Controller, Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam, in action against the enemy in Southeast Asia in 1967. His professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 20, 1967 – March 14, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Robert Roger Craner (AFSN: FV-3034131/11261367), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) to Colonel Robert Roger Craner (AFSN: FV-3034131/11261367), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Craner and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 20, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Major Robert Roger Craner (AFSN: FV-3034131/11261367), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 20, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 28 – 31, 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Roger Craner (AFSN: FV-3034131/11261367), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 28 to 31 December 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. Lieutenant Colonel Craner 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 20, 1967 – March 14, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Robert Roger Craner (AFSN: FV-3034131/11261367), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.