The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Francis R. Royal (ASN: 0-399561), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane with the FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations over the jungle of north Zaka, New Guinea, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 16 June 1942. Captain Royal led the first of two flights of planes which were acting as escort for a formation of American bombers. North of Zaka, nine enemy fighters intercepted the bombers. Captain Royal attacked the enemy fighters from a low altitude and shot down an enemy plane which crashed in flames in the jungle below. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Royal, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.