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 Captain Robert F. Cassaro, Jr., United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a F-100 pilot and Forward Air Controller in Southeast Asia on 20 March 1969. On that date, Captain Cassaro was directed to aid in the rescue of a reconnaissance team which was under heavy attack and completely surrounded by a hostile force. Disregarding his own safety he made repeated low strafing runs into intense ground fire on the hostile positions and was directly responsible for containing the hostile force during the first forty-five minutes of the rescue operation. With weather deteriorating, Captain Cassaro directed several strikes against the hostile force and then made numerous dry passes to distract the hostile element. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Cassaro reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.