The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Richard E. Brown, III, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an A-1 Skyraider of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 18 March 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Brown flew in support of an extremely hazardous and complex search and rescue mission that was attempting to recover two American crewmembers located in one of the most heavily defended segments of the Ho Chi Minh Tail in southern Laos. In spite of the unprecedented volume of hostile ground fire directed at his slow moving aircraft, Lieutenant Brown continued to attack the lethal anti-aircraft emplacements until they fell silent and his actions were instrumental in the successful recovery of both crewmembers. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Brown has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant Richard E. Brown, III, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an A-1 Skyraider of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action against the enemy over Southeast Asia from 1971 to 1972. 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.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Richard E. Brown, III, United States Air Force, was awarded 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 Brown and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant General Richard E. Brown, III, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Brown reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant Richard E. Brown, III, United States Air Force, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an A-1 Skyraider of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action against the enemy over Southeast Asia from 1971 to 1972. 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant Richard E. Brown, III, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of an Eighth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an A-1 Skyraider of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action against the enemy over Southeast Asia from 1971 to 1972. 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant Richard E. Brown, III, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an A-1 Skyraider of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action against the enemy over Southeast Asia from 1971 to 1972. 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant Richard E. Brown, III, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an A-1 Skyraider of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action against the enemy over Southeast Asia from 1971 to 1972. 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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 20, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Richard E. Brown, III, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an A-1 Skyraider of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 20 May 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Brown flew in support of an extremely hazardous and complex search and rescue mission attempting to rescue two downed crewmembers deep in North Vietnam. In spite of intense ground fire directed at his slow-moving A-1 Skyraider, the constant threat of hostile aircraft and Surface-to-Air Missiles, Lieutenant Brown helped locate the survivor and provided protective fire and smoke screen for the vulnerable rescue helicopters. These conspicuous actions were instrumental in the successful rescue of a downed airman from advancing hostile search parties. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Brown has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Richard E. Brown, III, 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, culminating as Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.; and subsequently as Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., from 2001 to 2004. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Brown 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st Special Operations SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant Richard E. Brown, III, United States Air Force, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an A-1 Skyraider of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action against the enemy over Southeast Asia from 1971 to 1972. 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.