The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Richard Charles Brenneman (AFSN: FV-3158661), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-4D pilot with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action against the enemy in hostile territory on 8 November 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Brenneman was flying his first mission into North Vietnam as the second element lead in a MiG screen for ingressing flights. After successfully countering a direct attack by hostile aircraft, his aircraft was hit by an air-to-air missile. All attacks by hostile aircraft were countered from reaching the strike force. Were it not for Lieutenant Brenneman’s courageous and skillful efforts to remain in a protective cover position, the ingressing flights would have been endangered. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Brenneman reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.