The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Albert S. Bolling, Jr. (MCSN: 0-25024), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Aerial Observer attached to a Marine Artillery Battalion during operations against the enemy on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, from 9 April to 5 May 1945. Flying in extremely hazardous weather and in the face of enemy anti-aircraft and small arms fire, First Lieutenant Bolling flew numerous missions in an unarmed and unarmored plane over enemy lines, observing enemy activities, calling for artillery fire and accurately adjusting such fire so as to inflict serious damage upon the enemy. On several occasions when terrestrial observation was extremely restricted and our own troops were receiving heavy fire from well concealed enemy positions, he voluntarily proceeded to perilously low altitudes, often below one hundred feet, to locate and bring fire on the enemy, thus enabling our troops to advance. His courage, skill, complete disregard for his own personal safety, and devotion to duty contributed materially to the successful conclusion of the operation and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.



