The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Richard G. Rutan (AFSN: FR-3102082), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100F Forward Air Controller over North Vietnam on 2 July 1968. On that date, Captain Rutan played a major role in the rescue of a pilot downed in a heavily defended area north of the Demilitarized Zone. He repeatedly made low altitude passes in the face of intense ground fire, describing the survivor’s location to the rescue forces and marking the ground fire for the armed fighters. The professional and courageous manner in which he directed the rescue forces was largely responsible for the ultimate success of the rescue. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Rutan 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 Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Richard G. Rutan (AFSN: FR-3102082), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Forward Air Controller operating over North Vietnam on 6 March 1968. On that date, Captain Rutan searched a very heavily defended area of North Vietnam, locating an extensively camouflaged and important truck park and supply area. He then directed numerous fighter strikes into the area, making repeated marking passes through hostile fire. His aggressiveness and courage were directly responsible for the location and destruction of numerous vehicles and supplies which dealt the hostile forces a severe blow in this strategic area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Rutan 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 with Combat “V” to Captain Richard G. Rutan (AFSN: FR-3102082), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100F Forward Air Controller while operating in Southeast Asia on 17 May 1968. On that date, Captain Rutan located a surface-to-air missile site that was impeding air operations in the southern panhandle. Searching the target area, he discovered numerous active anti-aircraft artillery sites that would have to be silenced before attacking the primary target. Captain Rutan courageously marked and coordinated the silencing of these firing sites and in so doing, sustained extensive battle damage. His aggressiveness and disregard for personal safety in removing these threats from the area made it possible for succeeding flights to destroy the surface-to-air missile site and thereby deprived the hostile forces of a significant portion of their defensive capability. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Rutan 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 Captain Richard G. Rutan (AFSN: FR-3102082), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Fighter Pilot near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam on 20 November 1967. On that date, Captain Rutan was a member of a flight which responded from the alert facility at Phu Cat Air Base, Republic of Vietnam to provide close air support for friendly ground forces engaged in heavy contact with a large hostile force in the Battle of Dak To. Despite intense ground fire and the close proximity of friendly ground forces, Captain Rutan made numerous accurate and timely ordnance deliveries in support of the beleaguered friendly forces. As a result of his action, he saved many friendly lives and contributed significantly to the free world forces victory achieved at Dak To. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Rutan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.