AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  WWII
MODEL:  B-26

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert K. Lakin for extraordinary achievement while serving as Pilot of a B-26 type aircraft on a mission to bomb coastal defenses in France on 6 June 1944. When the first bombing run was unsuccessful because of heavy cloud cover obscuring the objective, Captain Lakin descended below the clouds to a dangerously low and vulnerable altitude, in order to bomb visually. Immediately a formidable barrage of anti-aircraft fire was directed at his aircraft and, although his aircraft sustained damage by a 20 MM shell, Captain Lakin pressed home his attack and skillfully maintained his aircraft in formation, dropping his bombs with devastating results. His aerial proficiency and deep devotion to duty on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.