AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  AC-47

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert K. Stein, Jr., for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-47 Pilot near Can Tho, Republic of Vietnam on 9 and 10 April 1966. On that date, Captain Stein was flying a combat support mission against hostile forces attempting to overrun a friendly Special Forces outpost. Despite limited communications with the friendly forces, intense ground fire directed at the aircraft, the close proximity of the border of a neutral country and the illumination of their own aircraft as they provided airborne flares for the friendly forces, Captain Stein and his crew made repeated illumination and firing passes over the hostile positions. They directed their fire with such accuracy and determination that the hostile forces were forced to break off the attack. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Stein 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 to Captain Robert K. Stein, Jr., for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-47 Pilot near VI Thanh, Republic of Vietnam on 23 April 1966 and 24 April 1966. On these dates, Captain Stein flew two sorties in support of the highly successful Dan Chi 219 operation. During the encounter, Captain Stein found hostile forces trapped against a river bank and despite formidable anti-aircraft defenses and poor visibility, he remained in the extremely dangerous environment for more than seven hours helping to route the hostile forces and causing them heavy losses. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Stein reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.