Richard L. Savage

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Richard L. Savage, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot with the 730th Bombardment Squadron, 452nd Bombardment Wing (Light), in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 7 April 1951. Demonstrating outstanding technical skill and courage, Lieutenant Savage piloted his B-26 aircraft on a low-level bombing mission against enemy rail targets; and, on the first attack his aircraft was subjected to intense enemy ground fire and half way through the run he suffered a direct hit from a 40-millimeter gun. Although he was wounded five times, Lieutenant Savage pressed his attack with excellent results. In spite of intense pain and the difficulty of maneuvering his damaged aircraft, he continued the attack on enemy troops and gun emplacements to obtain maximum results from his mission. On the fifth strafing run a direct hit blew the nose wheel off the aircraft and a second hit necessitated feathering the left engine only a few feet above the ground. Fragments from a third direct his severely damaged the hydraulic system, radio equipment, air speed indicator, and the engine instruments. Lieutenant Savage flew the crippled aircraft for more than an hour before crashing-landing at a friendly air base. As a result of his skill and determination, he destroyed one bridge, three automatic weapons positions, and an unknown number of enemy troops and supplies.
General Headquarters Far East Command: General Orders No. 242 (October 4, 1951)