AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Korea
MODEL:  RF-80

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (then Second Lieutenant) Richard G. Ruiter for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot with the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 24 January 1953. While flying his unarmed RF-80 type aircraft deep into enemy-held territory, Lieutenant Ruiter had to make five (5) photo runs over the heavily defended area of Sinuiju, North Korea, whereby he encountered heavy flak on each run. Lieutenant Ruiter was attacked by two (2) Mig-15 type interceptor aircraft while lining up on the target for a photo run, but successfully evaded their attack and continued on his target run to obtain one hundred percent (100%) photographic coverage. The photographs that Lieutenant Ruiter obtained on this mission proved to be very valuable in determining the enemy’s defense and potential to continue a conflict. Through his personal courage, devotion to duty, photographic and pilot skill, Lieutenant Ruiter brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.