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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
20th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
August 1, 1972
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.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
20th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
September 16–17, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Richard L. Poling, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Forward Air Controller of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action at Mo Duc, Republic of Vietnam, on 16 and 17 September 1972. On that night, Captain Polling flew two sorties in his lightly armed OV-10 reconnaissance aircraft in monsoon weather conditions to support a small allied unit undergoing heavy ground assault by a hostile force twenty times its size. Using every means available, naval and ground artillery, tactical air support, and finally his own light internal ordnance, Captain Polling, in desperation, disregarding extremely intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, made repeated devastating low level attacks which stopped the hostile advance short of the friendly perimeter. Credited with two hundred and sixty-five confirmed hostile personnel killed, and twenty mortars and guns destroyed before his heavily battle-damaged aircraft was finally shot down, Captain Polling’s achievements were recognized by the Ground Commander as having personally saved his position and the lives of one hundred and twenty defenders. Through his superb airmanship, aggressiveness, and extraordinary heroism, Captain Polling reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.