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 Wilbur L. Coats, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over enemy held North Korea on 6 August 1952. Flying as Pilot of a B-26 type aircraft engaged in a night interdiction mission, Captain Coats displayed outstanding airmanship and flying skill. Flying to the pre-briefed target in the vicinity of Hwanju, Korea, Captain Coats noted intense and accurate fire from enemy automatic weapons protecting the target area. This officer was directed by the Path Finder Aircraft Commander to drop his bombs in the center of the target area. While on the bomb run Captain Coats had to guide his aircraft through intense and accurate automatic weapons fire at low altitude to reach the designated dropping area. Approximately 1 minute from bomb release his aircraft was hit in the empennage section by an exploding 40-mm. shell which caused major damage to the aircraft. With complete awareness of the condition of his damaged aircraft, Captain Coats continued on his bomb run and dropped 100% of his bombs in the center of the target area. Several secondary explosions and two sustained fires resulted from this bomb drop. As a result of this highly successful mission, vital supplies and buildings were destroyed. By his high personal courage, outstanding ability, and devotion to duty, Captain Coats brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.