The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Richard H. Fischer, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Plane Commander of a Patrol Bomber aircraft over the northern Bering Sea area on 22 June 1955. During a routine patrol his aircraft was suddenly attacked by hostile jet fighter planes whose guns wounded several of the crew and set the left wing and engine of the plane on fire. Lieutenant Fischer succeeded in eluding the attackers and, through a brilliant display of airmanship, skillfully effected a crash landing on St. Lawrence Island. Following the landing he administered first aid to the wounded and contacted rescue parties.