The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Robert John Naughton (NSN: 0-646287/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 1 March 1967, as pilot of an attack aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VA-113), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. As a wingman in a flight of two A-4C aircraft conducting a coastal reconnaissance mission near Tam Da, North Vietnam, Lieutenant Commander Naughton saved his flight leader from almost certain death when the section was taken under attack by enemy surface-to-air missiles. Lieutenant Commander Naughton had expended all of his ordnance on a rocket and strafing attack on two enemy waterborne logistics craft, sinking both vessels. As the flight continued to reconnoiter their assigned area in search of targets for later flights, Lieutenant Commander Naughton observed an enemy missile streaking from behind him toward the flight. Despite the vulnerability of his position to the rear of his leader, he delayed taking evasive action and directed his leader into a series of maneuvers which caused the missiles to barely miss the lead aircraft. After “Ironhand” aircraft were called into the area, Lieutenant Commander Naughton made several unarmed decoy passes through the Tam Da area in an effort to draw additional enemy fire. The enemy failed to respond to Lieutenant Commander Naughton’s bold challenge. By his alert and exemplary airmanship and his resolute determination, he undoubtedly saved the life of his flight leader and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Robert John Naughton (NSN: 0-646287/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 10 March 1966, as pilot of an attack aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VA-113), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), during operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. As flight leader of a close air support mission in support of friendly forces being overrun by the enemy, Lieutenant Commander Naughton, under extremely adverse weather conditions and in the face of intense enemy fire, made several low-altitude rocket attacks against the enemy gun positions which were holding down friendly forces. Although his aircraft was hit and damaged by enemy fire, he succeeded in destroying several gun positions, thereby contributing greatly to the subsequent safe evacuation of sixty-nine personnel. Lieutenant Commander Naughton’s outstanding performance and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.