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 Major Vernon E. Ball (MCSN: 0-26241), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a carrier-based Marine Attack Squadron in Korea. On 24 February 1953, Major Ball participated in the rescue of a downed Marine aviator who was surrounded by enemy troops deep in hostile territory. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Ball conducted a series of daring minimum altitude strafing assaults, intentionally drawing the heavy hostile fire away from the downed pilot. Displaying superb airmanship, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft at low level through the intense and accurate barrages of hostile anti-aircraft fire, and succeeded on several occasions, in completely suppressing all ground fire directed at the downed aviator. Ignoring the increasingly accurate fire that was bursting all around his aircraft, Major Ball conducted repeated dummy strafing assaults at the enemy positions successfully restraining the enemy troops from advancing. Although dangerously low on fuel, he continued these dummy attacks until the rescue was completed. His heroic actions in subjecting himself repeatedly to enemy fire and his exemplary initiative were responsible for the success of a mission that saved the life of a fellow Marine and inflicted heavy enemy casualties. Major Ball’s courageous conduct, outstanding professional ability and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.