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 First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Ronald W. Dobson, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving with Troop D (Air), 1st Squadron 4th Cavalry, in action on 12 July 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Lieutenant Dobson was serving as aircraft commander of the second of two helicopters comprising an aero-scout team. The two aircraft were conducting a reconnaissance mission over a Viet Cong infested jungle. During the mission Lieutenant Dobson had his pilot fly constantly at treetop level and low speed in an effort to see through the jungle canopy. When the lead aircraft received intensive hostile ground fire which it was unable to return effectively due to a jammed door gun, Lieutenant Dobson volunteered to engage the Viet Cong positions. He instructed his pilot to descend to treetop level so he could pinpoint the insurgents. On one of the passes, a burst of hostile automatic weapons fire hit the aircraft, wounding Lieutenant Dobson in the neck. While the other aircraft in the team covered his departure from the area, he radioed the coordinates of the Viet Cong position to the nearest fire support base so artillery could be employed against it. The ensuing artillery fire completely destroyed the Viet Cong position. First Lieutenant Dobson’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and United States Army.