The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Thomas J. Cushman, United States Marine Corps, for meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the Forward Element of the FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing during operations against enemy aggressor forces in the Korean Area, from 7 July to 5 September 1950; and as Deputy Commander of the First Marine Aircraft Wing, from 6 September to 31 December 1950. As Commanding General of the Forward Echelon of the Wing, Brigadier General Cushman displayed outstanding ability in readying his forces to furnish extremely effective close air support to friendly ground forces in their heroic defense of the Pusan bridgehead. As Deputy Commander, with additional duties as Tactical Air Commander of an Army Corps, he assisted both the Wing Commander and the Corps Commander in planning the tactical air phases of anticipated amphibious operations. He personally directed various elements of the Wing in support of Naval and ground forces in the execution of the amphibious landing at Inchon, Korea, closely integrating the operations of His forces with those of other tactical air units. Upon the seizure of Kimpo Airfield, Brigadier General Cushman led units of the Wing in their immediate displacement to that field whence his forces closely supported the ground force advance upon Seoul and the liberation of this city, and the prompt liquidation of enemy resistance in Central Korea. At the same time, as Corps Tactical Air Commander he coordinated and integrated the overall tactical air support furnished Corps ground forces. Upon displacement to Northeast Korea, he continued to coordinate tactical air activity in the Corps zone of action, simultaneously assisting the Wing Commander in directing the Wing’s close support of the advance of ground forces to the Yalu River and to the Chosin Reservoir. In the latter action, the close air support furnished materially assisted friendly ground forces in advancing against and decisively defeating numerically superior enemy forces despite handicaps of adverse terrain and weather conditions. During the retirement of our ground forces to the Hungnam beachhead, the almost continuous close air support furnished by the Wing greatly deterred the enemy’s efforts to block the route of withdrawal. By his outstanding professional ability, personal courage and inspiring devotion to duty, Brigadier General Cushman contributed materially to the success of the tactical air support of land operations in the Korean Campaign, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.