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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Richard Hastings Ellis (ASN: 0-789153), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of an A-20 Bomber in the 3d Bombardment Group (L), FIFTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 5 April 1945, against enemy surface targets in the Southwest Pacific Area. On that date, Lieutenant Colonel Ellis was the lead pilot of a flight of three A-20 type planes en route to rendezvous with eighteen B-25’s for a strike on an enemy convoy comprising of one transport and five warships. A rendezvous was made with the fighter cover provided, but the B-25’s, unable to locate the convoy, did not appear. Though faced with heavy odds and lacking sufficient planes to keep the warships engaged, Colonel Ellis ordered the attack. Coming in through intense anti-aircraft fire, he flew directly over the leading warship, attacked the transport at minimum altitude, and sank it with two direct hits. During this action his two wingmen attacked and scored a near miss on a flanking vessel. In this flight, possibly the longest ever made by A-20 aircraft, Colonel Ellis accomplished his mission without losses. Through his gallant and intrepid actions in the face of grave danger, he personally sank a vessel carrying troops of the enemy. The gallantry and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Ellis on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Richard Hastings Ellis, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ellis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Richard Hastings Ellis, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of General Ellis reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1969 – 1970

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Richard Hastings Ellis, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander of NINTH Air Force with headquarters at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, from 1969 to 1970. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ellis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Richard Hastings Ellis, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ellis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    3d Bombardment Group (L)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 29 (June 26, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Richard Hastings Ellis (ASN: 0-789153), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Light Bomber in the 3d Bombardment Group (Light), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Ellis, 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.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    April 1, 1971 – October 31, 1973
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-727 (October 3, 1973)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Richard Hastings Ellis, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Ellis distinguished himself as Commander, 6th Allied Tactical Air Force; Commander of Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe; and Commander, 16th Air Force, during the period from 1 April 1971 to 31 October 1973. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ellis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    October 30, 1973 – August 31, 1975
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-613 (July 23, 1975)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Richard Hastings Ellis, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Ellis distinguished himself as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, from 30 October 1973 to 31 August 1975. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ellis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1975 – 1977
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-613 (July 23, 1975)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Richard Hastings Ellis, United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe, and Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, from 1975 to 1977. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ellis and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1977 – 1981

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Richard Hastings Ellis, United States Air Force, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating as Commander in Chief of the Strategic Air Command and Director of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff with headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, from 1977 to 1981. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ellis culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Richard Hastings Ellis, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 3d Bombardment Group (Light), FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.