The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Howard W. Bollmann (MCSN: 0-10344), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a Marine Night Fighting plane in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces on Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, on the night of 13 – 14 April 1944. On this occasion while on a night combat air patrol at high altitude, he was vectored toward an enemy formation of approximately twelve enemy bombers. By the skillful operation of his airborne radar equipment he detected one enemy bomber coming directly toward him on a collision course and by superior flying skill he successfully reversed his course without losing radar contact and shot the bomber down in flames. His daring aggressiveness resulted in material loss to the enemy and aided in thoroughly disrupting the enemy bombing attack. His superior flying skill, daring and courage on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.




