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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert James Rankin (ASN: 0-743089), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy and the destruction of five enemy airplanes in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations 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.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert James Rankin (ASN: 0-743089), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy and the destruction of two enemy airplanes in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations 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.

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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert James Rankin (ASN: 0-743089), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Second Lieutenant Rankin accomplished fifty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe. 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.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert James Rankin (ASN: 0-743089), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Second Lieutenant Rankin accomplished thirty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe. 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.