1.  TC 320.   The following AWARD is announced:

MIKA, RICHARD F.  --------  SECOND LIEUTENANT  ARTILLERY  United States Army
HHB,4th Inf Div Arty, APO 96265
Awarded:  Distinguished Flying Cross
Date action:  9 November 1966
Theater:  Republic of Vietnam
Reason:  For heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the
                call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam: On 9 November 1966, Lieutenant Mika was serving as an
                aerial Radio Relay Station when he was called on to provide artillery assistance for a friendly unit
                which was in heavy contact with a numerically superior force and in imminent danger of being overrun.
                To accurately locate the friendly forces, Lieutenant Mika made a low level reconnaissance and was
                immediately taken under fire by enemy automatic weapons. Ignoring the intense fire directed at his
                aircraft, he rapidly began adjusting accurate and effective artillery fire. As the enemy began to
                envelop the friendly forces, Lieutenant Mika continued to fly at a low altitude so that he could adjust
                moving artillery defensive concentrations extremely close to the friendly forces to cover their
                withdrawal. As it became evident that a landing zone was needed for resupply and evacuation of
                the wounded, Lieutenant Mika continued his artillery adjustment and also searched for a landing zone.
                When the aircraft ran low on fuel, he was relieved on station by another air observer. Immediately
                after refueling, he returned to the support of the beleaguered friendly forces. Again ignoring the
                intense automatic weapons fire, he adjusted their defensive concentrations for night defense and
                provided support during the resupply and evacuation missions. His daring courage and determination
                under fire prevented the enemy from overrunning the friendly forces. Lieutenant Mika's actions were in
                keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and
                the military service.

Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 2 July 1926.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

OFFICIAL:                                                                                    JUDSON F. MILLER
                                                                                                        Colonel, GS
- signed -                                                                                         Chief of Staff

HERBERT A. ROBINSON
LTC, AGC
Adjutant General

                                                                                                                           GO 228