The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Richard Cobb Thum, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Reconnaissance Attack Squadron FIVE (VA(R)-5), embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). On 25 November 1968, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Thum, as the reconnaissance attack navigator of an RA-5C Aircraft, led a photographic mission over North Vietnam in support of the current special reconnaissance program. In the face of a rapidly building anti-aircraft artillery barrage, and continuous tracking by enemy fire control radars, he continued to navigate the unarmed RA-5C along the prescribed track to gain complete photographic coverage of the assigned objective areas. His aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire and immediately became uncontrollable, forcing Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Thum to eject into a hostile area. Lieutenant, Junior Grade Thum’s professionalism, superb airmanship and steadfast courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.