The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Jonathan D. Mendes (MCSN: 0-23046), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron Three Hundred Eleven during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 15 June 1953. Leading a massed flight of jet fighter-bombers on an aerial assault against a heavily defended enemy airfield deep in hostile territory, Major Mendes skillfully navigated the flight directly to the target area, despite extremely adverse weather, and initiated a dive-bombing and strafing attack through intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire. After scoring direct bomb hits that clearly marked the objective for the remainder of the flight, he directed a bombing and strafing assault that destroyed fourteen buildings and left the airstrip unusable. By his exemplary leadership and bombing accuracy, he was largely responsible for the success of a mission that inflicted extensive damage on the enemy. His courage, superb airmanship and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Major Mendes and the United States Naval Service.