The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert O. Barnum (MCSN: 0-34876), 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 7 July 1952, Captain Barnum led a flight of Marine attack aircraft on a close air support mission against a heavily defended and well entrenched enemy concentration of artillery and automatic weapons that had been inflicting serious damage on advancing units of the FIRST Marine Division. Promptly locating the carefully camouflaged batteries in extremely mountainous terrain, Captain Barnum initiated a daring low-level napalm assault. Diving to minimum altitude through an intense barrage of hostile anti-aircraft fire he scored a direct napalm hit, engulfing two enemy mortar positions in flames and clearly marking the target for the remainder of the flight. He then led his division in repeated bombing and strafing assaults that completely destroyed the enemy stronghold. Captain Barnum’s own bombing accuracy and exemplary leadership were largely responsible for the success of a mission that inflicted heavy enemy casualties and substantially reduced pressure on front line elements of the United Nations ground forces. His courageous conduct, outstanding initiative and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.