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 Lieutenant Colonel Richard Lamar Gilbert, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer near Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam, on 13 May 1972. On that date, despite massive air defenses consisting of all calibers of anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles, and MiG aircraft, Colonel Gilbert successfully pressed his attack and delivered his ordnance on the Thanh Hoa Bridge, dropping entire spans of the Bridge into the river. As a direct result of this attack, this bridge, vital to the re-supply effort supporting the invading forces across the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of Vietnam, was totally destroyed. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.