Richard Halsey Best (March 24, 1910 – October 28, 2001) was a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy during World War II.

By early 1942, after the war in the Pacific had begun, he had advanced to executive officer (XO), a standard navy term for second-in-command, under his close friend and USNA classmate, William Hollingsworth, known as "Holly," as commander.

[4] On December 7, 1941, Best was aboard Enterprise awaiting her return to port when he learned (along with most of VB-6) that several of his squadmates on morning search had flown into the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

His group was tasked with providing cover for Lieutenant Eugene E. Lindsey's torpedo bombers should they find the Japanese carriers.

At about 10:22, the Enterprise dive bombers (minus three that had dropped out with engine trouble) started to attack the two nearest Japanese carriers, Kaga and Akagi.

The first bomb, likely dropped by Lieutenant(jg) Edwin John Kroeger, hit the water opposite the Akagi's bridge.

The second bomb, likely dropped by Best, penetrated the flight deck and exploded in the upper hangar amongst 18 fuelled and armed Nakajima B5N2 aircraft.

[9][10] The third bomb, likely dropped by Ensign Frederick Thomas Weber, exploded in the water near the stern, jamming Akagi's rudder.

[11] Although only Best's bomb struck Akagi, secondary fuel- and ordnance-induced explosions in the confined hangar deck were enough to doom the carrier.

[12] Best's gunner, James Francis Murray, believed that he "saw the flash of [Best's] bomb through the smoke as it struck [Hiryū] amidships forward of the island.

[14] The Citation said "Defying extreme danger from concentrated anti-aircraft barrage and powerful fighter opposition, Lieutenant Commander Best, with bold determination and courageous zeal, led his squadron in dive-bombing assaults against Japanese naval units.

Flying at a distance from his own forces which rendered return unlikely because of probable fuel exhaustion, he pressed home his attacks with extreme disregard for his own personal safety.

His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to duty contributed greatly to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service".

Defying extreme danger from concentrated anti-aircraft barrage and powerful fighter opposition, Lieutenant Commander Best, with bold determination and courageous zeal, led his squadron in dive-bombing assaults against Japanese naval units.

Flying at a distance from his own forces which rendered return unlikely because of probable fuel exhaustion, he pressed home his attacks with extreme disregard for his own personal safety.

His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to duty contributed greatly to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.