The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Richard L. Poling, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller near Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam, on 1 August 1972. On that date, Captain Poling flew his lightly armed OV-10 reconnaissance aircraft over one of the most heavily defended areas in Southeast Asia. Despite receiving over nine hundred rounds of extremely intense and highly accurate ground fire, Captain Poling directed the destruction of many enemy vehicles and a large hostile ammunition storage area, resulting in numerous explosions, thereby denying hostile personnel the use of direly needed equipment and munitions. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Poling reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Captain Richard L. Poling, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, on 1 August 1972. On that date, Captain Poling flew his lightly armed OV-10 aircraft on a reconnaissance mission over an extremely hostile anti-aircraft artillery defended area. Despite receiving over eight hundred rounds of medium and heavy anti-aircraft fire, he directed six sets of tactical fighters which destroyed three tanks, two trucks, one ammunition storage area and one medium anti-aircraft artillery piece, thus denying hostile forces direly needed war material. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Poling reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.