[R33] Local veteran receives Indiana's highest honor (9/23/2014)
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 7:00 pm
Start Date:
9/23/2014
Start Time:
12:00 AM
End Date:
9/23/2014
STATEHOUSE - State Representative Greg Beumer (R-Modoc) presented Robert E. Pursley, a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General and a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, with the Sagamore of the Wabash award.
“I am honored to present this award to Lieutenant General Pursley,” said Rep. Beumer. “Throughout his many years of selfless service to our country, Robert has demonstrated time and again to be a man of high morality and distinction.”
The Sagamore of the Wabash award was created during the term of Gov. Ralph Gates, who served from 1945-1949. The award is one of the most esteemed honors the Governor of Indiana can bestow. It is presented to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state.
Robert was born in Muncie, Ind. and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1949, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and a commission as second lieutenant. He went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Harvard University in 1957.
Robert served his country for more than three decades, first as an A-26 pilot flying combat missions during the Korean War. He went on to serve as Senior Military Assistant to three successive Secretaries of Defense—Robert McNamara, Clark Clifford and Melvin Laird—Commander of U.S. Forces Japan and Commander of 5th Air Force. After his retirement from the Armed Services, Robert served as the president and CEO of Logistics Management Institute, a defense research and development corporation.
Robert has received many awards throughout his service including the Distinguished Service Medal from the Department of Defense and two Air Force Distinguished Service Medals. He also has letters of recommendation from former Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John W. Vessey.
“Robert is the epitome of what the Sagamore of the Wabash award stands for,” said Rep. Beumer. “I am grateful for his service to our country and for being a continued role model for Hoosiers throughout the state.”
