The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Robert W. Smith (AFSN: FR-20881), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 1 April 1952 over North Korea. On that date, Lieutenant Smith was leading an element of two F-86’s as part of an escort for an unarmed RF-80 aircraft which was photographing a main supply route north of Sinanju. Two MiG-15 type aircraft began an attack on the RF-60 but Lieutenant Smith cut them off and scored hits on the lead aircraft with a long burst from extreme range. This MiG then began violent evasive maneuvers but Lieutenant Smith followed and scored with several more bursts, destroying the enemy aircraft. Due to Lieutenant Smith’s excellent positioning of the element his wingman was able to destroy the remaining MiG-15. Lieutenant Smith’s exemplary leadership and aggressiveness saved the unarmed RF-80 from damage and resulted in the destruction of two enemy aircraft. His exceptional courage and devotion to duty have brought credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations, and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
November 5, 1967
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 Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Smith (AFSN: FR-20881), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam on 5 November 1967. On that date, Colonel Smith led a section of eight F-105 aircraft on a combat support mission. He delivered his ordnance on Phuc Yen Airfield which resulted in severe damage to the runway. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
October 24, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Smith (AFSN: FR-20881), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a F-105 Pilot near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 24 October 1967. On that date, Colonel Smith led his element of the initial raid of the Phuc Yen Airfield, one of the major strikes conducted in North Vietnam. Although over sixteen surface-to-air missiles were fired at the force, and anti-aircraft fire was so intense that both he and his wingman received battle damage, Colonel Smith pressed the attack with such determination that his ordnance was precisely delivered on target and three large explosions and fires resulted. The attack resulted in the destruction of at least five hostile aircraft and much supporting military equipment dealing a heavy blow to the North Vietnamese Air Force. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
November 19, 1967
Department of the Air Force, Special Order No. 161 (April 17, 1968)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 Lieutenant Colonel Robert Wilson Smith (AFSN: FR-20881), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Pilot of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388 Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, 7th Air Force, in action in Southeast Asia on 19 November 1967. On that date, Colonel Smith led a strike force of twenty F-105 and four F-4 aircraft to the vicinity of Hanoi for the initial strike on an important military target. Colonel Smith gallantly led his force through a hostile aircraft attack, an awesome and extended attack by missiles which downed two aircraft, and into the heavy anti-aircraft defenses to strike crippling blows to the assigned target and to a large active surface-to-air missile site. Colonel Smith never wavered from his goal, and with complete disregard for his life, displayed great courage and determined leadership to accomplish an extremely hazardous and difficult mission. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Colonel Smith reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
October 27, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Smith (AFSN: FR-20881), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Pilot with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 27 October 1967. On that date, Colonel Smith led a flight of four F-105 aircraft through a barrage of more than twenty surface-to-air missiles to his assigned target in the vicinity of Hanoi. In the interest of mission accomplishment, Colonel Smith led his flight ahead of the force to suppress heavy anti-aircraft fire in his immediate target area, even though this exposed him and his flight to the very heavy defenses. Colonel Smith was advised of the position of a downed pilot during egress, and returned with his flight to the hostile area in search of the pilot, until low fuel state forced him to withdraw. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Smith has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
October 17, 1967
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 Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Smith (AFSN: FR-20881), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 pilot over North Vietnam on 17 October 1967. On that date, Colonel Smith delivered his ordnance directly on the assigned target in spite of very heavy anti-aircraft fire. He pressed his attack after witnessing three aircraft, in the preceding flight, go down in flames, and although his own aircraft was buffeted violently by the bursting anti-aircraft fire, Colonel Smith dropped his bombs with unerring accuracy. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.