AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  B-57

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert P. Bateman for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a B-57 Pilot over Southeast Asia on 20 March 1966. On that date, Captain Bateman led an attack on a newly discovered storage area along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Despite poor weather and hostile ground fire, he pressed the accurate attack without regard for his own safety, destroying thirty-four structures, damaging the remaining fourteen and starting six large POL fires in the target area, thus seriously hampering the Viet Cong supply efforts. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bateman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.



2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Robert P. Bateman for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a tactical jet bomber near Dong An Republic of Vietnam on 14 March 1966. On that date, Captain Bateman participated in a devastating attack on a hostile regimental headquarters. Despite marginal weather, hilly terrain, and intense hostile fire, Captain Bateman pressed his accurate attack with complete disregard for his own safety, destroying twenty-two structures, damaging ten structures, causing ten secondary explosion and leaving the headquarters area in smoke and flame. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bateman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.



3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Robert P. Bateman for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a B-57 Pilot near Dong Hoi and Hue, Republic of Vietnam on 24 July 1966. On that date, Captain Bateman led his flight on a hazardous mission against a road junction and truck park near Dong Hoi. Despite intense flak from 37 and 57MM guns, he completed a successful bombing attack and, dodging the radar controlled anti-aircraft bursts departed the target area. He then led his flight on a strafing attack on hostile forces engaged in close combat with friendly forces near Hue, continuing his low level attack in the face of intense automatic weapons fire and destroying hostile positions as close as forty meters to the friendly lines. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bateman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.



4.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Third Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Robert P. Bateman for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a B-57 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 7 August 1966. On that date, following a successful bombing of their pre-planned target, Captain Bateman descended to low altitude to perform armed reconnaissance along the coast of North Vietnam. During an attack on a well defended bridge, Captain Bateman’s aircraft was hit by intense ground fire, causing the loss of his normal and emergency hydraulic systems. Captain Bateman flew his damaged aircraft back to his home base where he completed a successful gear-up landing with only minor damage to his aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bateman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.