The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Robert James Flynn, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 14 August 1967 as a naval flight officer in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX (VA-196) embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). As a bombardier/navigator in a four-plane flight, Lieutenant Commander Flynn participated in a coordinated air-wing strike against the Route 189 Bridge across the Song Gai River at Haiphong, North Vietnam. Under marginal weather conditions, he skillfully maintained an accurate and current plot of his position throughout the lengthy flight to the target area. As the target was obscured by the adverse weather, he provided constant steering information, which ultimately led to a sudden visual acquisition of the target through a break in the clouds. In the face of heavy automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Commander Flynn continued to monitor and operate his electronic-countermeasures equipment, and assisted his pilot in compensating for the unusual attack parameters resulting from the unavoidably unorthodox attack initial point. In the ensuing attack, two spans of the bridge were dropped into the river. By his outstanding professional skill, courage, and perseverance in the face of hazardous flying conditions, Lieutenant Commander Flynn upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Robert James Flynn, United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia in January 1971. Under constant pressure from camp interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in h is devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1968 – January 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Robert James Flynn, United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from August 1968 to January 1971. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intra-camp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods in 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 United States 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 in Communist ChinaAction Date:
August 21, 1967 – March 15, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Robert James Flynn, United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in Communist China from August 21, 1967 until his release on March 15, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Robert James Flynn, United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia in January 1970. Under constant pressure from camp interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in h is devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderAction Date:
August 1967 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Robert James Flynn, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from August 1967 to February 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by his captors to use him in causes detrimental to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as required by the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Flynn is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)