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 Robert H. Buettner (MCSN: 0-24147), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a member of a Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron in Korea. On 19 March 1953, Major Buettner led a flight of Marine jet night fighters on an escort mission for a massed flight of United States Air Force medium bombers. As the flight approached the target area, he was informed that hostile interceptors were in the area and immediately deployed his flight to meet the enemy. Because of his skillful tactics the attackers were forced to turn back and the bombers were allowed to continue to strike the enemy unmolested. The outstanding aggressiveness displayed by Major Buettner on this and other escort missions, while under constant threat of attack by numerically superior jet interceptors, was a major factor in the success of massed bombing raids on major installations deep in enemy territory. His courageous conduct, exemplary leadership and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.