The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Richard Upson (NSN: 0-75874), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commander of a Torpedo Squadron in the Pacific from February 1943 to April 1944. Lieutenant Commander Upson participated in several extremely daring missions to rescue flyers forced down in enemy waters. During a vital period of offensive activities, he led his squadron in damaging attacks on Japanese shipping and shore installations, and in close support of subsequent landing operations.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Richard Upson (NSN: 0-75874), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Displaying great tactical skill in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Commander Upson led a Torpedo Squadron in repeated attacks against a large concentration of hostile ships in Palau Harbor on 30 and 31 March 1944. As a result of his inspiring leadership, one merchant ship and one destroyer were sunk, sure hits were secured on nine other vessels and probable hits on four others, ground installations were heavily bombed and valuable photographs were taken.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Richard Upson (NSN: 0-75874), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 30 and 31 March 1944. Lieutenant Commander Upson led his squadron in attacks against enemy ships in the strongly defended harbor at Palau in the face of intense resistance. His squadron sank one merchant ship and one destroyer, scored 31 sure hits on nine other ships, took valuable photographs and dumped 26 tons of bombs on ground installations.