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 Captain Roland Wayne Purser, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-53 Helicopter Pilot of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action on 15 May 1975 at Koh Tang Island, Cambodia. On that date, while engaged in the recovery of the S.S. Mayaguez, Captain Purser disregarded intense ground fire and successfully landed two contingents of United States Marines on Koh Tang Island. Captain Purser then elected to attempt the withdrawal of United States Marine forces. Despite the hazards of flying a battle damaged aircraft, intensive ground fire and darkness, removal of the forces was successfully accomplished. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of an opposing armed force, Captain Purser reflected the highest 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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Legion of Merit
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
October 1991 – August 1993
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 Roland Wayne Purser, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service as Acting Deputy Director, Defense Evaluation Support Activity, and as Military Deputy Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, from October 1991 to August 1993. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Colonel Purser resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of various nationally critical programs. He was instrumental in steering joint test-and-evaluation efforts for the Department of Defense and other governmental departments and agencies. His efforts contributed significantly to the reduction of unnecessary military infrastructure, thereby resulting in net savings of $6.1 billion during implementation and $3.83 billion annually thereafter. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Purser reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
August 15, 1993 – August 31, 1995
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Roland Wayne Purser, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 341st Missile Security Group, 341st Missile Wing, Air Force Space Command, Malstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and as Military Assistant to the Presidentially appointed Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, Arlington, Virginia, from 15 August 1993 to 31 August 1995. In these critically important assignments, Colonel Purser’s exceptional leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts resulted in significant contributions to resounding effectiveness and success in meeting myriad complex challenges of critical importance to the Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the nation. As commander of the Air Force’s largest security-police group, he was the driving force behind his unit’s winning separate honors as “Best in Air Force Space Command” and “Best in Air Force,” contributing to his wing’s earning distinction as “Best Missile Wing” in Air Force Space Command and “Best Ballistic Missile Unit” in United States Strategic Command. Colonel Purser’s critical role in the overall efforts of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission contributed immeasurably to Presidential recommendations for 132 installation closures and realignments, resulting in Fiscal Year 1996-2001 net savings of 3.6 billion dollars, 20-year net-present-value savings of 19.3 billion dollars, and 1.6 billion dollars savings annually. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Purser reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.