The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Richard Henry Carmichael (ASN: 1214A/0-20203), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in Korea from 31 July 1950 to 25 July 1950. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Carmichael reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Richard Henry Carmichael (ASN: 0-20203), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Commander, Far East Air Forces Bomber Command, Provisional, from 15 June to 27 July 1953. During that period, General Carmichael, through his outstanding ability as a tactician and combat commander, made invaluable contributions to the United Nations effort in Korea by his brilliantly conceived and executed campaign of interdiction tactics during the closing weeks of hostilities. At this time, the enemy began concentrating great numbers of aircraft in the Antung area adjacent to airfield complexes south of the Yalu, since the proposed Armistice Agreement provided for inspection of the Armistice Commission to determine status quo levels of forces-in-being in North Korea. Thus, unless these enemy airfield complexes were neutralized and so maintained up to the date of the Armistice, the enemy would have the capability of flying tremendous numbers of hostile aircraft onto these bases, thereby creating a North Korean Air Force-in-being south of the Yalu River. General Carmichael early realized this threat and took a leading part in Far East Air Forces planning to counteract it. Night after night during that period, General Carmichael directed his medium bombardment wings in relentless, devastating attacks on the enemy airfield complexes and supporting installations at Uiju, Siniju, Saamchan, Taechon, Pyongyong and Pyong Ni. Realizing the importance of time, General Carmichael devised accelerated measures for bomb damage assessment and reconnaissance, working in close coordination with other United Nations forces engaged in this endeavor. Although last-minute intelligence concerning the enemy’s frantic rebuilding program necessitated the diversion of airborne bombardment missions to new or different targets from those briefed, the mission flexibility designed by General Carmichael permitted such redeployment without confusion or loss of effectiveness. The enemy reacted to this campaign with more intense radar controlled anti-aircraft artillery, and greater numbers of searchlight batteries, jet interceptors and aerial flare-drops; but the effective counter-measures and defensive tactics employed by General Carmichael precluded the loss of a single aircraft or combat crew during the entire offensive. The final combat mission of this campaign was flown only ten hours before the effective hour of the Armistice, at which time reconnaissance photography disclosed that every enemy airdrome south of the Yalu River had been so devastated as to be wholly incapable of receiving enemy jet aircraft from Manchuria. The high combat effectiveness of his command during this critical period was a direct reflection of General Carmichael’s vast professional experience in strategic bombardment, his dynamic leadership and selfless devotion to duty. His contributions significantly influenced the achievement of United Nations objectives in Korea, and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces and the United States Air Force.