The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert P. Strout (AFSN: FR-58842), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F Helicopter Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 1 February 1968. On that date, Captain Strout flew in support of United States Army and Allied Forces during the TET Offensive. A large hostile force had occupied an entire city block of Ban Me Thout and friendlies could not advance due to the heavy weapons of the unfriendlies. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Strout made repeated rocket and mini-gun passes through heavy automatic weapons fire and was successful in driving the hostile forces from the area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Captain Robert P. Strout (AFSN: FR-58842), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F helicopter pilot in Southeast Asia on 13 June 1967. On that date, Captain Strout flew lead gunship cover for three H-34 helicopters making an insertion of a reconnaissance team in unfriendly territory. Shortly after deplaning, the team made heavy contact with hostile forces. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Strout made several low passes through intense ground fire to divert fire from the ground team until they could secure their position. Subsequently, he flew through the same intense ground fire that damaged one helicopter and shot down another, to escort an H-34 making a successful rescue of the reconnaissance team and the crew from the downed aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Robert P. Strout (AFSN: FR-58842), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F Helicopter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 13 October 1967. On that date, Captain Strout was scrambled as lead of two armed helicopters to provide gunship cover for seven unarmed helicopters which were to extract a large force of American and friendly allies who were surrounded by hostile forces. Although one gunship had been moderately damaged just prior to his arrival at the scene, Captain Strout, without hesitation, led the gunships on several low-level rocket and gun passes in an attempt to break the attack. He maintained his low-level protective orbit for approximately forty-five minutes while the party moved to a more suitable landing zone. Subsequently, he jettisoned his remaining ammunition and made an approach to the landing zone, unarmed, to pick up the remaining members of the assault party when three of the extraction helicopters ran low on fuel and had to return to friendly territory for re-servicing. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Captain Robert P. Strout (AFSN: FR-58842), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F Helicopter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 22 June 1967. On that date, Captain Strout was scrambled as lead gunship in a flight of two armed helicopters to provide close air support for an Army unit engaged with hostile forces. Upon arrival at the scene, Captain Strout learned that the Army unit had been cut in half and was in great danger of being overrun. Forewarned to expect heavy ground fire and despite a very low ceiling, Captain Strout made repeated firing passes through intense ground fire in a successful attempt to prevent the hostile forces from completely destroying the friendly unit. After expending all of his rockets and firing most of his ammunition he flew through the intense ground fire marking known unfriendly positions with smoke grenades so that arriving A-1E’s could expend their ordnance without endangering the friendly unit. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Strout reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.