The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Richard Henry Kauffman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Navigator in Laos on 5 February 1971. On that date, he took part in an air strike directed at the fiercely defended supply routes along the notorious Ho Chi Minh Trail. Displaying exemplary courage in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire associated with each target, Major Kauffman steadfastly performed his duties as his crew relentlessly pressed the attack. Through his actions, thirty-three hostile vehicles were destroyed or damaged, nineteen secondary fires started, two secondary explosions ignited and large quantities of supplies destined for use against friendly forces destroyed. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Kauffman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Major Richard Henry Kauffman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Navigator in Laos on 18 January 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of sixteen hostile supply vehicles, the ignition of five secondary fires and thirteen secondary explosions. While confronted with intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, he contributed immeasurably to a successful interdiction strike against the hostile supply system through accurate planning, superb utilization of the fire control system, and precise positioning of the aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Kauffman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Major Richard Henry Kauffman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a C-130A Forward Air Control/Flare Navigator in Southeast Asia on 15 February 1970. On that date, Major Kauffman flew a tactical mission requiring night visual reconnaissance, flare illumination and forward air control of armed strike aircraft over hostile territory. With great determination and superior airmanship, Major Kauffman repeatedly flew through areas of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire to accomplish his mission of denying the armed opposing force vital munitions and interdicting their supply lines. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Kauffman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Richard Henry Kauffman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Navigator in Laos on 4 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of thirty hostile supply vehicles, the creation of twenty-seven secondary fires and the ignition of four secondary explosions. By his thorough planning, precise positioning of the aircraft and superb utilization of the fire control system, he contributed immeasurably to a successful interdiction strike against the hostile supply system. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Kauffman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Richard Henry Kauffman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Navigator over Laos on 25 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, his actions led to the damage or destruction of thirty-seven hostile supply vehicles, the creation of twelve secondary fires and the ignition of twenty-one secondary explosions. In spite of the 653 rounds of anti-aircraft fire directed at his gunship, he positioned the aircraft and operated the Fire Control System with such precision that these outstanding results were possible. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Kauffman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Richard Henry Kauffman, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Navigator in Laos on 4 February 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of thirty hostile supply vehicles, the creation of twelve secondary fires and the ignition of eleven secondary explosions. Acting as an instructor on this highly successful mission, Major Kauffman was required both to provide his crew the best possible information and to impart the highest caliber instruction. Accomplishing both tasks in a superior manner his accurate positioning of the gunship, maintenance of the all important Fire Control Computer, and precise targeting of each vehicle resulted in the destruction of large quantities of supplies destined for hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Kauffman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.