The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert M. Brown, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement in aerial combat as wingman in a section of A4 aircraft launched from U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA 31). Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brown was launched for a pre-reconnaissance strike in North Vietnam on 27 October 1965. After locating the five span bridge, he rolled in, and although taken under intense ground fire, he attained a direct hit with five MK82 bombs. The result of this attack was that two of the bridge spans were dropped into the river bed. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brown’s marksmanship in the face of heavy ground fire was an extraordinary display of airmanship and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.