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 Colonel (Field Artillery), [then Lieutenant Colonel Robert Benton Neely (ASN: 0-19114), United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of the 39th Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 14 December 1950, Lieutenant Colonel Neely voluntarily flew an unarmed liaison type aircraft over the Hamhung (Korea) area in a reconnaissance of enemy troop positions. During this flight he was subjected to intense automatic weapons fire, but, heedless of the danger involved, he continued his reconnaissance until he had an accurate picture of the disposition of enemy forces. Again, on 23 December 1950, during the evacuation of the Hungnam beachhead, he voluntarily flew an unarmed liaison type aircraft at low altitudes over the area defended by the 15th Infantry Regiment, reconnoitering well behind enemy lines for movement of enemy forces toward the Hungnam beachhead. During this mission he accurately directed artillery fire of his battalion on buildings, bridges and other important structures, denying their use to the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Neely’s coolness under fire and his devotion to duty evidenced on these occasions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.