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 Richard W. Bateman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an O-2B pilot near Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam on 24 October 1967. On that day, Captain Bateman successfully completed a dangerous and very important psychological warfare mission which required him to fly at extremely low altitude over known hostile positions. As a result of his efforts that day, many innocent civilian lives were saved and a dangerous hostile threat was eliminated. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bateman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society – www.dfcsociety.orgThe 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 Captain Richard W. Bateman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an O-2B pilot near Khanh Hoa, Republic of Vietnam on 30 December 1967. On that date, Captain Bateman was flying a psychological warfare mission in an area of known hostile concentration. Despite the hazards of rugged, mountainous terrain, adverse weather conditions and hostile ground fire, Captain Bateman skillfully maneuvered his aircraft in and out of the target area without incident. His tenacity and technical skill have contributed immeasurably to the United States Air Force psychological warfare mission in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bateman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.