The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Richard W. Nielsen, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE, embarked in U.S.S. TICONDEROSA on 21 April 1967. Lieutenant (junior grade) Nielsen, was a wingman in the second bombing element of a coordinated strike group of Attack Carrier Air Wing NINETEEN aircraft, attacked the heavily defended Qui Vinh Highway Bridge south of Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam. Diving into intense and accurate anti-aircraft artillery and automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Nielsen calmly and with great skill scored a direct hit with his 1000 and 2000 pound bombs, completely destroying one span of the bridge and thereby cutting a main north-south artery through an area of known heavy traffic. His determination, professional competence and great courage while under intense enemy opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.