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 Major Richard Eugene Smith, Jr. (AFSN: FR-57992), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a Republic F-105 Thunderchief over Vietnam on 24 October 1967. On that date, Major Smith flew in the first flight of F-105 aircraft assigned to attack a high priority military target in North Vietnam which services the majority of North Vietnamese MiG interceptors. Being in the first flight he flew through intense anti-aircraft gunfire to place his ordnance accurately on the gun positions. Major Smith’s action contributed to the survival of the twenty strike aircraft that followed on the attack of the airfield. During egress from the target he was continually tracked by anti-aircraft guns and had to maneuver violently to avoid a surface-to-air missile that detonated directly behind him. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1967 – May 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Eugene Smith, Jr. (AFSN: FR-57992), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1967 to May 1972. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Richard Eugene Smith, Jr. (AFSN: FR-57992), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 strike pilot over North Vietnam on 18 October 1967. On that date, Major Smith was flying the number three aircraft in a flight of four, executed against a heavily defended high priority military target. Major Smith disregarded the intense flak and imminent MiG attack to deliver his ordnance directly on target. While recovering from his dive-bomb run Major Smith attacked and drove off a MiG attacking his leader’s aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1967 – January 1973
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Eugene Smith, Jr. (AFSN: FR-57992), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period November 1967 to January 1973. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
333d Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
October 25, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2191 (December 7, 1967)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 Major Richard Eugene Smith, Jr. (AFSN: FR-57992), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as the Pilot of a Republic F-105D Thunderchief of the 333d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 25 October 1967. On that date, Major Smith led a flight which was part of a strike force directed to attack the largest and most important railroad and highway bridge in North Vietnam. He flew through a surface-to-air missile attack and extremely intense and accurate anti-aircraft artillery barrages to place his ordnance directly on the bridge. Major Smith’s bombs dropped one span of the bridge into the river. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Smith has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2191 (December 7, 1967)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 Lieutenant Colonel Richard Eugene Smith, Jr. (AFSN: FR-57992), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during October 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Lieutenant Colonel Smith resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 25, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Eugene Smith, Jr. (AFSN: FR-57992), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 25, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.