AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  C-123

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to first lieutenant Robert L. Hutchinson for distinguishing himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as a C-123 pilot at Plei Me, Republic of Vietnam on 24 October 1965 and 25 October 1965. On these dates, Lieutenant Hutchinson voluntarily flew two aerial flare missions over the joint Army Special Forces/Army of the Republic of Vietnam security hamlet of Plei Me, continually under the threat of hostile ground fire. Constantly, on both nights, Lieutenant Hutchinson and the crew were fired upon as four to ten flares were deployed on each pass, keeping the ground battle under continuous illumination. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Hutchinson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.