The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Larry P. Yarham, United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of a jet aircraft while attached to Attack Squadron Fifty-Two embarked in U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVA 63). On 16 April 1972, in the darkness of early morning, Lieutenant Yarham conducted a single plane all weather strike on a surface-to-air missile site, thereby silencing the site and creating a diversion for enemy defenses to allow a massive strike to hit another target largely unopposed. The mission was executed at night in the face of determined, intense and formidable enemy defenses and surface-to-air missiles. Lieutenant Yarham displayed undaunted courage, superb airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty which reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Larry P. Yarham, United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a Pilot of jet aircraft while attached to Attack Squadron Fifty-two embarked in U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVA63). On the morning of 28 August 1972, Lieutenant Yarham conducted a single plane, all-weather strike against an enemy surface-to-air missile installation deep in enemy territory. Diverting from the preassigned target, he executed a daring bombing attack against a surface-to-air missile installation which had launched two missiles at his aircraft. Demonstrating exceptional heroism and airmanship, Lieutenant Yarham pressed the attack with devastating results. Four large secondary explosions and one large sustained fire were observed during egress from the target. The mission was executed at night, at extremely low altitudes in the face of formidable enemy defenses, Lieutenant Yarham’s superb airmanship, aggressiveness, and exemplary courage reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.