Robert Helle and fellow Marine Abel Kavanaugh were in a defensive position around an LZ near Phu Bai, South Vietnam, and were accidentally left behind when their unit was extracted. Both Marines were captured and interned as Prisoners of War in South and North Vietnam after they captured on April 24, 1968 and were held until their release on March 16, 1972.
Sponsored by:
Robert
Ray
Helle
POW (RVN)
December 22, 1948
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Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
SergeantDivision:
Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)Action Date:
April 24, 1968 – March 16, 1973
Sergeant Robert Ray Helle (MCSN: 2386015), United States Marine Corps, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from April 24, 1968 until his release on March 16, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
SergeantDivision:
Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)Action Date:
April 1968 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Sergeant Robert Ray Helle (MCSN: 2386015), United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement while interned as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from April 1968 to March 1973. Sergeant Helle demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to the United States by continuously resisting an enemy who ignored all international agreements concerning the treatment of prisoners of war. Despite the harsh treatment under extreme adverse conditions of captivity, he continued to perform his duties during the long years of his incarceration in a highly professional manner. Displaying courage, resourcefulness, and dedication, Sergeant Helle reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]