The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Edward L. Abner (MCSN: 0-25823), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while leading an aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a Marine Fighter Squadron in the vicinity of Imdang-ni, North Korea, on 30 October 1951. The close air support mission guided by Captain Abner’s daring and skillful leadership, accounted for the destruction of ten bunkers and one artillery piece. Despite the fact that his plane was hit by intense and accurate ground fire, he led his flight through repeated attacks on a group of bunkers on a commanding ridgeline overlooking allied ground elements. The flight neutralized the ridgeline and relieved the allied ground troops of their perilous situation. Captain Abner then led his flight through a strafing attack on a gun position behind the ridgeline and destroyed the enemy weapon with his remaining one thousand pound bomb. His actions throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.