The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Richard Lane Braun (MCSN: 0-10301), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a Marine Attack Squadron in Korea. On 16 June 1953, Major Braun led a massed flight of Marine attack aircraft on a top priority mission deep in enemy territory to destroy a heavily defended and extremely vital enemy dam near the Yalu River. Displaying superb airmanship and exemplary leadership, Major Braun led his flight directly to the target area initiating a bombing attack, despite concentrated hostile anti-aircraft fire and repeated attacks by enemy jet interceptors, attempting to effect a break in the two hundred and twenty foot wide earthen barrier. After returning to a friendly base to refuel and rearm, Major Braun again led the flight to the area for a second strike. Diving through intense barrages of defensive fire he directed repeated assaults that seriously damaged the essential target. Major Braun’s exceptional bombing accuracy and outstanding initiative were responsible for the success of a mission that inflicted serious damage to a major enemy dam. His courageous conduct and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Richard Lane Braun (MCSN: 0-10301), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a Marine Attack Squadron in Korea. On 28 May 1953, Major Braun led a division of Marine attack aircraft on a close air support mission against heavily defended and well entrenched enemy bunkers and automatic weapons that were inflicting serious damage on friendly front line units. Approaching the target area, a low ceiling so reduced forward visibility that Major Braun instructed his flight to orbit out of range of hostile anti-aircraft fire while he definitely located the objective. Promptly detecting the carefully camouflaged enemy position, he rejoined the orbiting aircraft and led a daring low level assault. Diving to minimum altitude through an intense barrage of defensive fire, he scored direct hits that clearly marked the target for the remainder of the flight. Major Braun’s exceptional bombing accuracy and exemplary leadership were responsible for the success of a mission that destroyed fourteen enemy personnel shelters, three automatic weapons and substantially reduced pressure on advancing elements of the United Nations ground forces. His courageous conduct, outstanding initiative and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.