AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Korea
MODEL:  F-51

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Richard H. Deihl for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a F-51 type aircraft, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing, Fifth Air Force, on 12 December 1952. Leading a flight of four (4) F-51 type aircraft, Lieutenant Deihl displayed outstanding airmanship and navigational skill when he led his flight directly to the target area at Otanni Korea. On the way to the target two (2) members of the flight were forced to withdraw due to engine malfunction. Lieutenant Deihl, knowing the target was a strong point in the enemy line of resistance, elected to continue the strike with only two (2) aircraft. Locating the target, Lieutenant Deihl pressed his attack through intense enemy ground fire, strafing enemy gun positions and personally scoring a direct hit on the enemy stronghold with his bombs. Lieutenant Deihl, through his superior leadership and bombing accuracy, was personally responsible for destroying one (1) observation post, three (3) automatic weapons positions and killing an undetermined number of troops. As a result of this highly successful mission, vital enemy defenses were destroyed, seriously hampering the enemy's potential in that sector. Throughout his entire combat tour, Lieutenant Deihl has displayed excellent qualitites of leadership and airmanship in attacking enemy troops, supplies and equipment. Through his skill, courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Deihl has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.