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 Captain Robert K. Stein, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-47 Pilot near Vi Thanh, Republic of Vietnam on 23 April 1966 and 24 April 1966. On these dates, Captain Stein flew two sorties in support of the highly successful Dan Chi 219 operation. During the encounter, Captain Stein found hostile forces trapped against a river bank and despite formidable anti-aircraft defenses and poor visibility, he remained in the extremely dangerous environment for more than seven hours helping to route the hostile forces and causing them heavy losses. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Stein reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.