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 Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Richard A. Starita, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an RF-4C Crew Member in Southeast Asia on 21 February 1967. On that date, Captain Starita was flying a combat mission near Dong Ha, Republic of Vietnam in search of hostile activity. On target, Captain Starita was faced with withering ground fire and called in fighter aircraft. With complete disregard for personal safety, he remained to direct fire power upon the hostiles from his unarmed aircraft. The ground fire proved too intense for armed fighters, but Captain Starita had obtained sufficient information to allow subsequent destruction. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed Captain Starita reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.