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 Major Raphael Ahern (MCSN: 0-14500), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea on 9 January 1952. Major Ahern, leader of the second division of an eight-plane flight of F-4U’s was directed by an airborne controller to attack a group of four artillery positions near the town of Ando-ni. Despite intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft and ground fire, Major Ahern maneuvered his division into position and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, led them on two expertly executed dive bombing runs. He was observed by the airborne controller to have scored a direct hit on his first run and was directly responsible for destroying an enemy artillery piece and damaging a third. Major Ahern’s efficient action, courageous leadership and fearless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.