The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Alan Clark, United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a naval flight officer of jet aircraft while attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN (VA-115), embarked in U.S.S. MIDWAY (CVA-41). On the night of 30 July 1972, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Clark was the bombardier/navigator of an aircraft assigned to strike the vital Phuc Yen Airfield deep in North Vietnam. He successfully navigated through mountainous terrain and directed his pilot in a low-level, high speed attack planned to elude enemy air defense radars. During the run-in to the target, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Clark guided the pilot in the attack while illuminating the altimeter with his flashlight following a sudden electrical failure which caused the loss of cockpit instrument lights. The crew released their bombs on target resulting in a large sustained fire which erupted as they retired through a heavy barrage of anti-aircraft fire. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Clark’s superb airmanship, courage, and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.