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 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second 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, near Arawe, New Britain, on 21 December 1943. Lieutenant Gibb’s P-47 type fighter was one of a formation of seven fighters engaged on a patrol mission when approximately thirty dive bombers were sighted. In the ensuing engagement, he made an astern attack and scored hits on the fuselage of a dive bomber causing the bomber to go down in flames. He then attacked another enemy airplane scoring hits on the fuselage and in the cockpit, apparently killing the pilot. This enemy bomber nosed straight into the sea.