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By direction of the President, the Distinguished Flying Cross (1st Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea is awarded to First Lieutenant John A. Lamontia, 02020565, Infantry, U.S. Army. A member of Headquarters, 6th Medium Tank Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, Lieutenant LaMontia distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during an aerial flight over Kumchon, Korea, on 25 September 1950. While engaged in an aerial flight observing enemy positions and directing the movement of ground troops, his plane was damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire and disable to the extent that all controls, other than rudders, failed to function. Ordering his observer to bail out, Lieutenant LaMontia was forced to keep his plane in the air when he noticed that his companion had become entangled in the many radio wires. Only after the observer had managed to free himself and clear the plane did Lieutenant LaMontia leave the controls and abandon his aircraft. His courage and coolness when his own life was endangered and unhesitant consideration for the safety of his endangered comrade reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the United States Infantry. Entered military service from Omaha, Nebraska. (24th Div GO 258, 12 Dec 1950). (Lieutenant LaMontia received at least two other DFCs in the Korean War, but not with citations.)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Lloyd Richardson Leavitt, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary skill, leadership and courage while participating in aerial flight on 23 July 1952 near Oman-ni, Korea, Lieutenant Leavitt was the leader of a Squadron of F-84 type aircraft assigned the dangerous mission of destroying enemy anti-aircraft positions. After locating the target, Lieutenant Leavitt circled the target several times at dangerously low altitude to draw enemy fire and enable his squadron to pin-point the enemy gun positions. Despite intense and accurate enemy flak, Lieutenant Leavitt then led a coordinated bombing attack on these positions producing a large secondary explosion after his own bombing run. He then continued the attack with low level strafing passes until his ammunition was expended. Lieutenant Leavitt during this mission exemplified the courageous leadership and skill required for successful tactical operations and has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
General Orders: Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 18 61-1955 (Jane Blakeney)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Edward N. LeFaivre (MCSN: 0-30579), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a fighter Plane in Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron Five Hundred Thirteen (VMF(AW)-513), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 7 October 1951. Discovering an enemy motor convoy on a winding mountain road while he was participating in a night intruder mission in the Singosan area, Captain LeFaivre carried out a series of daring napalm, bombing and strafing attacks on the objective, completely destroying nine vehicles and damaging four others. His skilled airmanship, marked courage and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave hazards were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861 -1955 (Jane Blakeney)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Edward N. LeFaivre (MCSN: 0-30579), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a fighter Plane in Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron Five Hundred Thirteen (VMF(AW)-513), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 10 October 1951. Keenly aware of numerous enemy anti-aircraft positions in the vicinity of a hostile motor convoy which he had singled out as a target, Captain LeFaivre carried out repeated, destructive napalm, bombing and strafing runs, scoring direct hits with napalm, bombs and cannon. Although his aircraft was damaged by the intense and continuous gunfire, he persisted in his attacks until all ordnance was expended, leaving behind a total of twelve vehicles destroyed or severely damaged. By his skilled airmanship, marked courage and unswerving devotion to duty, Captain LeFaivre upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Leonard William Lilley (AFSN: 0-17012A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in action against enemies of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter, 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea on 4 September 1952. While leading four F-86's on a reciprocal patrol in the Sakchu area at 22,000 feet his flight became separated while letting down through an overcast. Continuing with his wingman eight MiG's were observed at 15,000 feet heading south. Pressing an attack on the leader, he was about to close when a second MiG broke into his line of fire. Disregarding his attack he fired scoring hits on the fuselage and around the wing roots. The pilot ejected just before the MiG started a violent spin, crashing to the ground near Nawsi. The superlative airmanship and devotion to duty displayed on this occasion by Captain Lilley reflect the highest credit upon himself, his comrades-in-arms of the United Nations, and the United States Air Force.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Leonard William Lilley (AFSN: 0-17012A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in action against enemies of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter, 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea on 30 August 1952. While leading a flight of four F-86's to patrol the Sui Ho Reservoir area he sighted another flight of F-86's being attacked by two MiGs 3,000 feet below his flight. Captain Lilley pressed an immediate attack dispersing the MiGs from any further attack on the F-86's. He continued to press his vicious attack and followed a MiG through several evasive maneuvers before he could bring his guns into firing position. Captain Lilley fired a long burst into the MiG causing it to explode and burn with the pilot ejecting. The enemy aircraft behind him began firing several short bursts but through Captain Lilley's superior airmanship he managed to evade the MiG's guns. Being critically low on fuel, Captain Lilley and wingman returned to base. His superlative airmanship and heroism on this occasion led to the destruction of one MiG and saved another flight of F-86's from possible damage or destruction, reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert John Love (AFSN: AO-732034), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over North Korea on 1 April 1952. Captain Love was leading a flight of F-86's on combat air patrol as top cover for fighter bombers when a flight of seven MiG-15 aircraft were sighted. Captain Love immediately positioned his flight for an attack. As he was climbing to firing range one of the MiG's broke from the flight and started down toward the fighter bombers. Captain Love intercepted this MiG and fired several bursts which destroyed this enemy aircraft before it could do any damage to the fighter bombers. Captain Love's aggressive leadership and outstanding devotion to duty have brought credit to himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations, and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, 5th Air Force
General Orders No. 412 - 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant James Frederick Low (AFSN: FR-23194/NSN: 5598369), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea on 8 May 1952. Flying wingman in a four plane flight when it was attacked by six MiGs, his brilliant display of airmanship was instrumental in repulsing this enemy threat. During the twenty minute battle that ensued in addition to damaging one MiG, he positioned behind a second at 5 o'clock and firing, he scored hits on the MiG's fuselage and wings. Large billows of smoke were seen coming from the tail section and there was an explosion in the engine section. Rolling around the enemy twice to cut his speed, he closed again firing one more burst. Just before the MiG disintegrated the pilot ejected. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Low on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself, his comrades-in-arms of the United Nations and the United States Air Force.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant [then Second Lieutenant] James Frederick Low (AFSN: FR-23194/NSN: 5598369), United States Air Force, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea on 4 July 1952. While flying as element leader of a combat air patrol at 30,000 feet in the area of Tongmok-tang, North Korea, Lieutenant Low sighted a flight of four MiG's heading north. He skillfully positioned himself behind the last enemy aircraft and fired several lethal bursts observing many heavy hits in the tail section, fuselage and wing roots causing the aircraft to smoke heavily. The MiG crashed into the ground in the area of Okkang-dong, North Korea and it was believed the pilot did not bail out. The destruction of this MiG brings Lieutenant Low's total to six destroyed in only forty-six combat sorties. The brilliant precision of thought in this tactical situation coupled with the superlative marksmanship displayed on this occasion reflects the greatest credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, 5th Air Force
General Orders No. 540 - September 2, 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant [then Second Lieutenant] James Frederick Low (AFSN: FR-23194/NSN: 5598369), United States Air Force, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in the Sinuiju area of North Korea on 11 June 1952. While leading an element of F-86 type aircraft on a combat air patrol a flight of eight MiG-15's were sighted at 38,000 feet. Lieutenant Low unhesitatingly positioned his element for an immediate attack, however, before a firing pass could be executed, a long MiG rolled down out of the enemy formation as if preparing for a firing pass. Lieutenant Low switched his vicious assault to the single MiG and as he closed to effective firing range, the enemy pilot was seen to jettison his canopy and eject himself. The element continued the patrol until two MiG's were observed at 33,000 feet. Lieutenant Low immediately gave chase and closed to a firing range of 500 feet, pressing his attack and firing short bursts. The MiG started smoking profusely as hits covered the entire aircraft, then it burst into flame. Not satisfied with the amount of damage already inflicted, Lieutenant Low fearlessly closed to within 50 feet range and fired several more bursts. The enemy pilot then jettisoned his canopy and ejected himself. The total destruction of two MiG-15's on this mission bring Lieutenant Low's total enemy aircraft destroyed to four plus one probable destroyed in only thirty-nine missions. The outstanding devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Low on this occasion has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
General Orders: Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861-1955 (Jane Blakeney)
Major Arnold A. Lund (MCSN: 0-9029), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of Marine Fighter Squadron Three Hundred Twenty-Three (VMF-323), in action in Korea.
Lloyd L. Lund (MCSN: 632216), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, in action against enemy forces in Korea.
General Orders: Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861-1955 (Jane Blakeney)
William M. Lundin (MCSN: 0-7998), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred Fourteen (VMF-214), attached to the U.S.S. Sicily (CVE-118), in action in Korea.
Second Lieutenant Carl R. Lundquist (MCSN: 0-51303), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane in Marine Fighting Squadron Three Hundred Twelve (VMF-312), in action against enemy aggressor. Lundquist received his decoration for a mission flown October 7, 1951. Flying with a four Corsair flight from the "Checkerboard" squadron (VMF-312), he was credited with aiding troops of the Second Army Division in taking an enemy-held hill. The close air support mission resulted in 10 enemy bunkers being destroyed and three damaged. Forty enemy soldiers were killed in the attack. Nine days later, the officer was shot down and captured. He was released on September 4, 1953, during Operation Big Switch."
William G. Lundy (MCSN: 0-46699), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, in action against enemy forces in Korea.