(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel Richard Lamar Gilbert, United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy in Southeast Asia.

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.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Richard L. Gilbert, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia on 5 March 1971.

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 to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Lamar Gilbert, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 20 May 1972. On that date, Colonel Gilbert was assigned Mission Force Commander for a force of twelve F-4E Phantom aircraft which struck a vital electrical transformer and switching station, that supplied critical electrical power to major defense and military production elements. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Colonel Gilbert led his strike force into the target area despite numerous surface-to-air missile sites, intense anti-aircraft fire, hostile aircraft, and accurately laid down a chaff corridor for the incoming fighter-bomber force. Colonel Gilbert functioned with the highest degree of professionalism which made the mission a total success by greatly reducing the effectiveness of the hostile defenses and provided a timely and critical decision regarding target area weather for the incoming strike force. 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.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Richard Lamar Gilbert, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy in Southeast Asia.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Lamar Gilbert, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 26 June 1972. On that date, Colonel Gilbert was Chaff Force Commander and led three flights of four F-4E Phantom Aircraft on a mission deep into North Vietnam to lay down an important radar screening chaff corridor along a pre-planned strike ingress route. Leading the Chaff Force through a highly organized and well coordinated defense of anti-aircraft fire, surface-to-air missiles and numerous hostile interceptors, Colonel Gilbert functioned with determination and exceptional aerial skill to successfully dispense the chaff corridor exactly as planned, thus enabling the follow-on Strike Force to deliver their ordnance on target virtually unmolested by the North Vietnamese defenses. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert 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 Leave Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of an Eighth 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-4E Weapon Systems Officer over North Vietnam on 15 August 1972. On that date, Colonel Gilbert led a flight of eight F-4E Phantom Aircraft on a chaff dispensing mission over Hanoi, North Vietnam. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he skillfully maneuvered his formation through the heart of the North Vietnamese Air Defense System, while evading a barrage of surface-to-air missiles, in an all-out defensive effort by the enemy, and laid down a vital radar screening chaff corridor. The success of this mission greatly reduced the radar capability of hostile defenses and made it possible for a flight of F-4D Phantom Aircraft to strike a strategically located railroad and highway bridge. 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.