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 Kent Waterman (AFSN: FR-80727), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot of the 433d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 22 August 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Waterman was schedule in Nash Flight to attack a vital bridge complex in an area of extremely intense and varied antiaircraft defenses. Upon reaching the target area, Lieutenant Waterman observed the bridge to be untouched by the bombing of the previous flights. Realizing that his flight was to be the last on target, Lieutenant Waterman continued his own attack to a much lower altitude than normal through the very heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire to deliver his ordnance precisely on target, and completely destroy the bridge. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Waterman reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.