The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Robert W. Spencer, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights as Aircraft Commander during an engagement with the Communists insurgent forces on Cu Lao May, in the Mekong Delta region of the Republic of Vietnam, on the afternoon of 21 June 1967. While operating with one of his field units, Commander Spencer, serving as Commanding Officer of Helicopter Aircraft (Light) Squadron Three, responded to the call of two river patrol boats for assistance after they had been taken under fire by a Viet Cong recoilless rifle and several weapons positions. Arriving at the scene, he engaged the enemy continuously for five hours of intense combat. On three separate flights he pressed the attack in the face of concentrated enemy fire to pound the enemy bunkered positions and shoot enemy gunners and destroying his surface transportation. Commander Spencer’s inspiring leadership and superlative airmanship under intense enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.