The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Leonard C. Balcom (MCSN: 0-49312), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a Marine Attack Squadron in Korea. On 18 February 1953, First Lieutenant Balcom led a flight of Marine attack aircraft on a close air support mission against heavily defended and well-entrenched enemy positions that had been inflicting serious damage on units of the 7th Republic of Korea Division. As he approached the target area, First Lieutenant Balcom instructed the flight to orbit out of range of hostile anti-aircraft fire while he searched out the objective. Locating the carefully camouflaged enemy position in extremely mountainous terrain, he rejoined his flight and, despite heavy hostile ground fire, led an aggressive bombing attack in which he scored direct bomb hits that clearly marked the target for the remainder of his flight. He then conducted an individual napalm attack, diving to minimum altitude through the precipitous terrain, and scored a direct napalm hit that engulfed the area in flames. First Lieutenant Balcom’s outstanding bombing accuracy and exemplary leadership were largely responsible for the success of a mission that completely destroyed a major enemy stronghold and substantially reduced pressure on elements of United Nations ground forces. His courageous conduct and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.