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 First Lieutenant Richard Joseph Fulton, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4 Weapon Systems Officer with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 16 April 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Fulton was flying an F-4D fighter aircraft on a mission to provide protection from hostile interceptors for sixteen strike aircraft hitting targets in the Hanoi area. While flying in extremely hazardous weather conditions and taking ground fire from heavy anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles, Lieutenant Fulton successfully chased off two flights of hostile aircraft. The protection given the strike force by Lieutenant Fulton resulted in the successful completion of a very difficult mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Fulton reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.