The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Robert Donald Blough, Jr., United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on 15 May 1975. On that date, Lieutenant Blough, Aircraft Commander of a HH-53C helicopter, flew his aircraft in complete darkness and even though taking heavy, constant hostile ground fire, successfully managed to make a blackout landing and safely evacuated United States Marines to the destroyer escort U.S.S. HOLT. Returning to the island and again receiving intensive hostile fire, Lieutenant Blough safely evacuated another group of United States Marines to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. CORAL SEA. This courageous action aided in the recover of the S.S. MAYAGUEZ and its crew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Blough has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.