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 to Major Richard Henry Kauffman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Navigator in Laos on 4 February 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of thirty hostile supply vehicles, the creation of twelve secondary fires and the ignition of eleven secondary explosions. Acting as an instructor on this highly successful mission, Major Kauffman was required both to provide his crew the best possible information and to impart the highest caliber instruction. Accomplishing both tasks in a superior manner his accurate positioning of the gunship, maintenance of the all important Fire Control Computer, and precise targeting of each vehicle resulted in the destruction of large quantities of supplies destined for hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Kauffman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.



