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 Robert L. Hipps (AFSN: 0-3170819), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Navigator over North Vietnam on 13 March 1968. On that date, Lieutenant Hipps flew a high altitude radar bombing mission against a vital military complex in an area of heavily concentrated anti-aircraft defenses near Hanoi. While maneuvering to avoid a barrage surface-to-air missile attack, his leader lost radar contact with the target. Lieutenant Hipps immediately assumed control of the bomb run at the most critical phase of the mission. Leading his flight on the final moments of the stabilized, highly vulnerable attack, Lieutenant Hipps’ prompt action and technical excellence resulted in all ordnance being placed on target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Hipps reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Robert L. Hipps (AFSN: 0-3170819), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Navigator over North Vietnam on 21 May 1968. On that date, Lieutenant Hipps located a large hostile truck convoy. Despite the intense fire, Lieutenant Hipps directed a series of highly accurate and devastating attacks which brought the hostile forces to a complete halt and completely destroyed the convoy. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Hipps reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders GB-0394 (March 28, 1973)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 Captain Robert L. Hipps (AFSN: 0-3170819), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam on 9 January 1973. On that date, Captain Hipps flying a fast forward air controller mission exposed himself continually to anti-aircraft artillery fire in order to destroy numerous hostile targets. His gallant effort and highly professional performance inflicted heavy losses to the opposing force and reduced significantly their capability to re-supply their military units further to the south. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Hipps reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders GB-0665 (June 13, 1973)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 Captain Robert L. Hipps (AFSN: 0-3170819), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia from 17 November 1972 to 18 November 1972. During this period, while flying as an F-4E Weapons Systems Officer, Captain Hipps with complete disregard for his own safety, faced intense hostile ground fire in marginal weather conditions to locate two downed crew members during a search and recovery operation in North Vietnam. The next day, under the same adverse conditions, Captain Hipps was instrumental in pacifying the area and making a successful recovery operation possible. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Hipps has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.