Navy Federal Credit Union

Richard Creighton served in World War II, where he was credited with shooting down TWO enemy aircraft as a P-51 pilot. Returning to service in Korea, he became an ACE when he shot down his third MiG of that war, becoming an ACE, on October 5, 1951. The following month he shot down two more MiGs to become a Korean War ACE credited with FIVE victories in that war, plus his earlier two in World War II. He retired in 1963 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 27, 1951

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Richard Daniel Creighton (AFSN: AO-767134), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-86 Fighter Pilot and Commanding Officer, 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea on 27 November 1951. Leading a group of nineteen F-86 aircraft on a counter air mission, Major Creighton observed approximately thirty enemy MiG-15 aircraft headed southward toward the fighter-bombers in the area of Yongsansi, North Korea. Displaying outstanding courage, tactical skill, and aggressive leadership, Major Creighton directed his forces into the midst of the enemy formation. During the engagement Major Creighton personally destroyed one MiG-15 enemy aircraft in the area of Taegwan-Dong, North Korea. The enemy formation, badly disorganized, began heading back toward the Yalu River area without further engaging the United Nations aircraft. Although greatly outnumbered, his expert skill and leadership made possible the successful accomplishment of the group’s mission of preventing the enemy aircraft from attacking the fighter-bombers. Re-grouping his forces after the attack, Major Creighton successfully led all the friendly aircraft from the area. The outstanding gallantry in action against great odds, the brilliant skill, and the leadership displayed by Major Creighton on this occasion has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the military service. the highest credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations, and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    434th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    479th Fighter Group

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard Daniel Creighton (AFSN: AO-767134), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter aircraft in the 434th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    434th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    479th Fighter Group

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Richard Daniel Creighton (AFSN: AO-767134), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter aircraft in the 434th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, during World War II.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 16, 1951

    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 574 (December 6, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Richard Daniel Creighton (AFSN: AO-767134), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter-Bomber and as Commanding Officer of the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 16 October 1951. On that date, Major Creighton led a squadron of 16 F-86 planes on a combat aerial patrol in the Sinuiju-Yalu area in North Korea. Nearing minimum fuel, Major Creighton prepared to withdraw his forces from the area, when several formations of enemy MiG-15 jet aircraft were sighted on a southerly heading with obvious intent of attacking friendly fighter-bombers engaged in interdiction bombing below. At the same time another enemy formation was sighted on an interception course to engage Major Creighton’s forces. Although faced with a critical fuel problem and outnumbered 100 to 16, Major Creighton unhesitatingly turned his formation to engage the enemy below, fully realizing that by doing so he would expose himself to the enemy formation above. During the ensuing battle, which covered an area from Sinuiju 100 miles south the Pyongyang, Major Creighton’s brilliant tactics and repeated vicious assaults thoroughly disrupted the enemy. When fuel and ammunition reached an extremely critical point and the safety of the friendly fighter-bombers was insured, Major Creighton directed his forces to withdraw. Major Creighton’s squadron on this occasion destroyed four enemy MiG-15s and damaged three more. The conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership displayed by Major Creighton reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    434th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    479th Fighter Group

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard Daniel Creighton (AFSN: AO-767134), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter aircraft in the 434th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.