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 Lieutenant Colonel Robert Baldwin Purcell (AFSN: FR-53786), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during April 1966. 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.

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 Robert Baldwin Purcell (AFSN: FR-53786), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while engaged in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period November 1970 to February 1973. Colonel Purcell performed duties in staff and command positions while in potentially volatile daily contact with the Vietnamese guards and officers. As a leader and staff advisor, he successfully coped with daily problems which required patience, perseverance, and at times ingenuity. He performed his duties in an outstanding manner over long periods of time with dedication and loyalty which reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

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 Lieutenant Colonel Robert Baldwin Purcell (AFSN: FR-53786), 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 August 1965 to August 1970. 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.