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 First Lieutenant Robert Alfred Lodge, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam on 17 January 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Lodge was a member of a flight of four F-105 fighter-bombers assigned to attack a heavily defended railroad center of vital importance to the hostiles. Despite poor visibility in the target area and intense air defense efforts, the target was located and struck with pin-point accuracy. In pressing the attack on the target, despite strong hostile resistance and poor weather conditions, Lieutenant Lodge denied the hostiles the continued use of one of his vital resources. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Lodge reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.



