The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 28 October 1967. On that date, Major Cavanaugh, flying as an F-105F Wild Weasel pilot, made repeated attacks over the heavily defended flat delta area in the vicinity of Hanoi despite a hazardous communications failure between crew members and while under constant attack from surface-to-air missiles and heavy anti-aircraft artillery. As a result of his actions, three surface-to-air missile guidance units and an anti-aircraft artillery battery were destroyed allowing the force of sixteen F-105 Thunderchiefs to attack and destroy a vital railroad and highway bridge without any losses from surface-to-air missiles. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Cavanaugh has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 11 August 1967. On that date, Major Cavanaugh led a flight of four F-105F Thunderchiefs providing protection against surface-to-air missiles for an aerial strike against the Hanoi (Doumer) Highway and Railroad Bridge, the most vital bridge in North Vietnam. Disregarding his own personal safety, Major Cavanaugh made himself a readily available target to decoy both surface-to-air missiles and hostile MiG aircraft away from the strike force, thereby permitting the strike aircraft to successfully destroy this all important target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Cavanaugh has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major Robert Thomas Cavanaugh (AFSN: FR-46472), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 6 November 1967. On that date, Major Cavanaugh, while flying as an F-105F pilot, completely suppressed an active surface-to-air missile threat allowing the main fighter-bomber force to successfully neutralize an important transformer station. Although his aircraft sustained damage from a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire, Major Cavanaugh courageously continued his dive bomb run to completely destroy the active hostile flak site defending a mobile surface-to-air missile site. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Cavanaugh has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.