The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Rowland Hill Worrell, III (AFSN: 0-3196585), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, National Test Facility Joint Program Office, and Vice Commander, Space Warfare Center, Falcon Air Force Base, Colorado, from 28 March 1993 to 8 January 1996. During this period, Colonel Worrell’s leadership and steady hand guided the Joint Program Office through an ever-changing mission evolution, as the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization became the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization’s and the emphasis went from National Missile Defense to Theater Missile Defense. Colonel Worrell oversaw the change in contracting processes that resulted in reducing infrastructure costs at the National Test Facility Joint Program Office from 70 million dollars a year to 43 million dollars a year by the innovative concept of re-competing the single National Test Facility contract as two contracts, one for research and development and the other for operations and maintenance. These savings to the government will be realized every year to come. As Vice Commander, Space Warfare Center, he was instrumental in the standup of the Space Warfare Center and ensured that organization’s early operational capability. The quick and efficient standup of the Space Warfare Center led directly to improved operational capability for worldwide theater commanders. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Worrell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in awarding the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Rowland Hill Worrell, III (AFSN: 0-3196585), United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as Director, Global Defense Segment, and as Director, Brilliant Pebbles Task Force, Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO), from June 1989 to March 1993. Colonel Worrell’s leadership abilities and technical expertise established him as the number one program manager within SDIO. He achieved a spotless record of firsts which set the standard for this organization. Despite three successive years of budget cuts, a Presidential change in mission, and constant public and private scrutiny, Colonel Worrell’s leadership kept the program on budget and extremely productive. He did this with a task force which grew from five to seventeen personnel and managed annual budgets in excess of $450 million. Colonel Worrell never lost sight of the program goals of streamlined acquisition and more importantly, he kept the momentum necessary for program success. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Worrell reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
21st Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
April 20, 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Rowland Hill Worrell, III (AFSN: 0-3196585), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Dak Seang Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam on 20 April 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Worrell flew his unarmed aircraft through marginal weather conditions and intense hostile fire to direct tactical air power in support of an allied unit in imminent danger of being overrun. Through his determination and superior airmanship, Lieutenant Worrell accurately located, marked and directed the destruction of the hostile positions, thus saving many friendly lives. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Worrell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
21st Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
April 1, 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to First Lieutenant Rowland Hill Worrell, III (AFSN: 0-3196585), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-2 aircraft of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Vietnam, in action at Dak Seang Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam, on 1 April 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Worrell directed air strikes, artillery and aerial resupply drops in support of the completely besieged Dak Seang Camp. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he calmly and accurately located hostile forces and weapons and systematically directed their destruction. When these efforts failed to halt the perimeter assault, Lieutenant Worrell repeatedly flew his unarmed aircraft through heavy ground fire and, as a last effort, fired his marking rockets into the attackers on the perimeter wire, causing them to stop the assault and withdraw. During the four and one-half hours over the camp, Lieutenant Worrell braved intense ground fire to cover a troop withdrawal and single-handedly frustrated an attack on the camp’s perimeter, thus saving many lives and possibly the camp itself. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant Worrell reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
21st Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
June 7, 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Rowland Hill Worrell, III (AFSN: 0-3196585), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Dak Seang Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam on 7 June 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Worrell became the On-Scene-Commander for a rescue effort for a Marine pilot who was shot down while on a combat support mission under Lieutenant Worrell’s control. Despite hostile fire and rapidly deteriorating weather, Lieutenant Worrell displayed remarkable ingenuity and courage as he repeatedly flew his unarmed aircraft low over the downed pilot to direct the rescue effort. Lieutenant Worrell’s immediate, correct and calm reaction to the situation was responsible for the successful recovery of the Marine pilot. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Worrell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
21st Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
April 23, 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Rowland Hill Worrell, III (AFSN: 0-3196585), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-2 aircraft of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Vietnam, in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near at Dak Seang Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam, on 23 April 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Worrell flew his aircraft through marginal weather to direct air strikes in support of the 3d Battalion of the 42d Infantry Regiment which was completely surrounded by a hostile force. In spite of intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Worrell located and accurately marked hostile positions for strike aircraft. His actions on behalf of the surrounded battalion broke the attack and saved many friendly lives. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Worrell has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
21st Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
April 5, 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Rowland Hill Worrell, III (AFSN: 0-3196585), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Dak Seang Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam on 5 April 1970. On that date, the Special Forces Camp was under attack by a large heavily armed hostile force. Despite the intense hostile fire directed at his aircraft, Lieutenant Worrell repeatedly flew low over the area to mark hostile positions for strike aircraft. Even after he had expended all of his marking rockets, Lieutenant Worrell continued to mark the hostile positions with smoke grenades until the attack was broken. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Worrell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.