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 (Air Corps) Robert J. Shick, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of an A-20 type aircraft of the 47th Bombardment Group (L). On 11 March 1945, while flying on a night armed reconnaissance mission over the Po Valley, Italy, Lieutenant Shick observed enemy activity at a large building near Castelnuovo di Verona. Immediately pressing two precision attacks at minimum altitude, Lieutenant Shick enabled his bombardier to score direct hits, setting fire to the building and a number of military installations in the area. Continuing in attack, Lieutenant Shick strafed a number of other targets, inflicting further damage upon the enemy, before breaking off and returning safely to base. On more than fifty-five combat missions his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.