The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Marshall S. Austin (MCSN: 0-33726), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a Marine Fighter Squadron in Korea. On 11 April 1953, Captain Austin led a flight of Marine jet fighter-bombers on a close air support mission against heavily defended and well entrenched enemy front line elements then inflicting serious damage on advancing United Nations ground forces. Despite adverse weather conditions, he quickly located the enemy positions very close to friendly units and instructed his flight to orbit at a safe altitude while he positively identified the objective. Because of the extreme proximity of friendly troops, Captain Austin used the utmost caution to avoid endangering them. Conducting a low level assault in the face of intense hostile anti-aircraft fire, he scored a direct bomb hit on the enemy bunkers. Having clearly marked the target for the remainder of his flight, he then rejoined the orbiting aircraft and led them in repeated bombing and strafing attacks that completely destroyed the enemy positions. Captain Austin’s outstanding accuracy in the delivery of his attacks and his exemplary leadership were largely responsible for the success of a mission that inflicted heavy enemy casualties and substantially reduced pressure on advancing friendly forces. His courageous conduct, remarkable aggressiveness and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.