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 Ronald L. Bruce (MCSN: 0-20529), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a member of a Marine Fighter Squadron in Korea on 13 January 1953 to 14 January 1953, during a series of massed aerial assaults on a heavily defended bridge complex in the vicinity of Sinanju. Confronted by intense hostile anti-aircraft fire and under constant threat of attack by superior jet interceptors, major Bruce led two successive bombing missions to suppress hostile fire directed at the main striking force. On one of these strikes he was directed to engage a well camouflaged enemy heavy anti-aircraft weapon that had previously inflicted serious damage on attacking aircraft. Successfully locating the concealed target, Major Bruce dived through a barrage of hostile fire to score direct bomb hits that silenced the heavy weapon and clearly marked the objective for the remainder of his flight. He then conducted each bombing run with such skill that complete destruction of the enemy battery was achieved. Major Bruce’s aggressive leadership and exceptional accuracy in the delivery of his attack were largely responsible for the success of a mission that substantially reduced enemy opposition during succeeding attacks on the vital target. His courageous conduct, outstanding professional skill and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.