The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Leslie T. Bryan (MCSN: 0-6996), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as Commanding Officer of a Marine jet photographic squadron in Korea. On 16 July 1953, as pilot of a n unarmed Marine jet photographic aircraft, Lieutenant Colonel Bryan conducted a high priority aerial reconnaissance deep in enemy territory to obtain photographs of military installations near Pyongyang, the North Korean capitol. In order to achieve the element of surprise necessary to the successful accomplishment of his mission, Lieutenant Colonel Bryan proceeded without benefit of armament or fighter escort into an area known to be heavily defended by enemy jet interceptors and concentrated anti-aircraft to obtain the photographic coverage requested. With complete disregard for his own safety he pressed his mission to completion despite the fact that attack by enemy jet fighters was imminent. Lieutenant Colonel Bryan’s heroic actions and exemplary initiative were responsible for the success of a mission that obtained vital intelligence information in excess of that normally expected under the flight conditions encountered. His courageous conduct, professional ability and selfless devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.