The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Russell D. Baade (MCSN: 0-35228), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy, as a member of Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), on 6 September 1951, in the vicinity of Kumwa-ri, Korea. While on a Close Air Support mission, Captain Baade attacked and scored direct hits with his napalm bombs on two heavily armored tanks. In spite of the adverse weather conditions over hazardous terrain and in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, he made repeated low level bombing and strafing attacks until both tanks were completely destroyed. The primary mission accomplished, Captain Baade and his flight were then diverted by the air controller to an exposed enemy troop concentration near the North Korean city of Kuhwa-ri. By his skillful airmanship in his low level strafing runs he was able to inflict heavy casualties upon the enemy resulting in the neutralization of this position, thereby materially contributing to the success of the attack then being conducted by friendly ground troops. Throughout these engagements Captain Baade displayed outstanding qualities of skill, aggressiveness and courage and his actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.