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 First Lieutenant Robert D. Gibb (ASN: 0-665550), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot in the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in the Southwest Pacific area from 3 September 1943 to 16 December 1943. During this period, Lieutenant Gibb participated in sustained operational activity against the enemy curing which hostile contact was probable and expected. These flights included escorting bombers and transport aircraft, interception and attack missions and patrol and reconnaissance flights. In the course of these operations, strafing and bombing attacks were made from dangerously low altitudes, destroying and damaging enemy installations and equipment. Throughout these operations outstanding devotion to duty were displayed.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Robert D. Gibb (ASN: 0-665550), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot in the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, over Arawe, New Britain, on 31 December 1943. Lieutenant Gibb was flying one of thirteen P-47D2 type airplanes engaged on a patrol mission when three enemy fighters and five enemy dive bombers were sighted. In the ensuing engagement, Lieutenant Gibb fired two bursts into a dive bomber which veered away from him and crashed into the trees. He then chased another dive bomber, firing at it until the entire back half of the fuselage burst into flames.