The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 12 June 1967 as a light jet attack pilot, serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron SEVENTY-SIX (VA-76), embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31) during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. With little more than one hour in which to prepare, Captain Fuller planned, briefed, and led a highly successful strike against the important Thanh Hoa Thermal Power Plant. Greatly hampered by overcast skies and early evening shadows, he acquired the target, completed his dive in the face of heavily concentrated anti-aircraft defenses, and dropped his bombs on target, although his aircraft was struck three times during the run by ground fire. Post-strike photography revealed heavy damage to the power-plant complex. By his skilled planning, outstanding leadership, and personal courage, Captain Fuller was directly responsible for the success of this vital mission. His actions, in the face of grave danger, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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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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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 presenting the Defense Superior Service Medal to Rear Admiral Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, for exceptionally superior service as Deputy Director for Operations (Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare), Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from May 1978 through April 1980. Rear Admiral Fuller’s leadership, dedication to duty, and far-reaching imagination and foresight were directly responsible for the successful completion of vital worldwide military operations of great sensitivity and utmost concern to the National Command Authorities. The distinctive accomplishments of Rear Admiral Fuller reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 1967 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Under constant harassment from their captors, and due to the frustrations of the prisoners during their long internment, many difficult situations arose, requiring perseverance, endurance and ingenuity. Using his extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and sound judgment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain Fuller is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
June 1980 – February 1982
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Carrier Group FOUR from June 1980 to February 1982. A dynamic leader and manager, Rear Admiral Fuller impressively guided his command through an Indian Ocean contingency deployment on board U.S.S. DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69), three exercises as NATO Carrier Striking Force Commander, pre-deployment workups for U.S.S. NIMITZ (CVN-68) and U.S.S. JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). Rear Admiral Fuller established and maintained an exceptionally high state of readiness throughout Carrier Group FOUR which fostered a level of performance and reliability second to none. Under his leadership, Carrier Group FOUR and assigned carriers U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE (CV-62), U.S.S. JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67), and U.S.S. CARL VINSON (CVN-70) proved to be an increasingly indispensable strategic force, providing reassurance to our allies of our ability to project a potent deterrent to potential opponents of peace under any circumstances. By his outstanding leadership, keen judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Fuller reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 76 (VA-76)Division:
U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)Action Date:
July 5, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 5 July 1967 as a light jet attack pilot, serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron SEVENTY-SIX (VA-76), embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31) during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Captain Fuller planned and led a very successful strike against the Don Son petroleum products storage area near Haiphong. Under his skilled leadership, the strike group achieved complete surprise over the target, and delivered its bombs with devastating effect. The attack resulted in several large secondary explosions and fireballs, and left fires which were still burning hours later. By his exceptional planning skill and outstanding leadership in the air, Captain Fuller was directly responsible for the success of this mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 76 (VA-76)Division:
U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)Action Date:
April 25, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 25 April 1967 as a light jet attack pilot, serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron SEVENTY-SIX (VA-76), embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31) during operations against hostile forces in North Vietnam. As the designated leader of a ten-plane attack element of a major air-wing strike, Captain Fuller led his unit in a highly successful bombing attack against the Haiphong Ammunition Depot at Kien An, one of the most heavily defended areas of North Vietnam. He skillfully maneuvered his strike element to avoid the surface-to-air missiles fired at the strike group, and positioned his unit at its optimum roll-in point to attack the target. As Captain Fuller commenced the dive-bombing attack, his element was attacked by enemy fighter aircraft and an intense anti-aircraft artillery barrage originating in the target area. In the face of this very determined opposition, he completed a highly successful bombing attack, obtaining hits which destroyed his assigned target. By his inspiring leadership and courage under fire, Captain Fuller upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 14, 1967
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 14 July 1967. Captain Fuller’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Captain Fuller reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 16 – August 13, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 16 June 1969 to 13 August 1969. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese 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 his 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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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 14, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Captain Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 14, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1968 – December 1970
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 Captain Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period from September 1968 to August 1969 and from December 1969 to December 1970. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of 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 Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 76 (VA-76)Division:
U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)Action Date:
June 11, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] Robert Byron Fuller (NSN: 0-542942), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 11 June 1967 as a light jet attack pilot, serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron SEVENTY-SIX (VA-76), embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31). As a section leader in a coordinated air-wing strike against Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant near Haiphong, North Vietnam, Captain Fuller led his section in a highly effective bombing attack on his assigned target. He skillfully maneuvered his section to avoid surface-to-air missiles, moored balloons, and dense anti-aircraft artillery fire, executing a precision dive-bombing attack which inflicted severe damage to the target. Captain Fuller’s leadership, superior airmanship, and bombing accuracy in the face of heavy enemy opposition contributed materially to the success of this vital mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.