The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major John R. Bohnet (MCSN: 0-5989), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a Division Leader attached to a Marine Fighter Squadron operating in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago areas from 1 January to 1 April 1944. During this period, Major Bohnet took part in twenty-seven combat missions over Japanese territory, frequently being subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire and repeated attacks by numerically superior enemy fighters. On 12 February, he led his division as escort for bombers in a strike against Lakunai airfield, New Britain. During the approach to the target, the formation was attacked by many enemy interceptors. In the ensuing action, he shot down one fighter which was attacking an unprotected member of his Division and although he was wounded and his plane damaged, he destroyed a second fighter during the retirement. His superior airmanship and courageous devotion to duty contributed materially to the success of all missions and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.