The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Hugh Nash Batten (NSN: 0-326456), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a jet fighter aircraft attached to Fighting Squadron NINETY-ONE (VF-91), aboard the U.S.S. PHILIPPINE SEA (CV-47), on 18 July 1953. As a flight leader over Communist held North Korea, Lieutenant Batten led his flight of jet fighter aircraft on a highly successful armed reconnaissance mission in the heavily defended Anbyon area. Displaying the aggressive and inspirational leadership characteristic of his previous combat missions, he sought out and destroyed four heavily loaded supply vehicles although opposed by intense enemy anti-aircraft fire. In the area immediately north of the Anbyon rail terminus, he led his flight on five attacks against a heavily defended supply area and although again receiving intense anti-aircraft fire, he destroyed five supply buildings and heavily damaged two others. On his fourth attack, his marksmanship resulted in a violent secondary explosion which covered the target area with smoke and flames. Lieutenant Batten’s consistently outstanding airmanship and reconnaissance technique denied the Communist Forces valuable supplies necessary to conduct projected front line assaults against the friendly ground forces. His competent leadership and uncompromising sense of duty in carrying the war to the enemy, contributed materially to the success of the PHILIPPINE SEA in its assigned missions. His actions reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.